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A HISTORY 

OF 

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE 

1816-1909 

BY 

JOHN KING LORD 



Being the second volume of A History of Dartmouth 

College and the Town of Hanover, New Hampshire, 

begun by Frederick Chase 



CONCORD, N. H. 

THE RUMFORD PRESS 

1913 



Vol. 2. 



Copyright igij, 
By John King Lord. 






PREFACE 



npHE first volume of the "History of Dartmouth 
College and the Town of Hanover," by Fred- 
erick Chase, appeared more than twenty years ago. The 
second volume, carrying on the history of the College 
but not of the Town, owes much to him. He had not 
only outlined the plan of work, but had examined carefully 
a good part of the ground which it covers, and he had 
written something of it. A considerable part of Chapter 
X on the College Controversy, was thus prepared by him, 
and also a considerable part of the special topics with 
which the volume concludes. 

In completing the work thus begun I wish to acknowl- 
edge to the fullest degree my obligations to Mr. Chase. 
In following out the lines suggested by his memoranda 
I have been profoundly impressed with the keenness and 
thoroughness of his investigations. I have thoroughly 
examined the statements of his notes, as far as they de- 
pended on documents, and in no case have I found them 
incorrect. In a few cases I have allowed statements to 
pass, which I could not confirm, but which I knew came 
to him through oral testimony that was closed to me by 
death. 

But while I gladly associate the name of Frederick 
Chase with mine in the preparation of this volume, for 
the years that have passed since his death have given me 
an increased sense of the richness of his friendship and 
the value of his work, I do not lay upon him the responsi- 
bility for any part of the volume, except the parts which 
I have said that he wrote, and these I have gone over 
with as much care as if they were my own. 

All the letters and documents quoted in the volume are 
in the possession of the College unless a different owner- 
ship is indicated. 



iv Preface. 

In the discussion of the special topics there is some 
repetition of statements made in the body of the work, 
since some statements were necessary in the continuous 
narrative, which were also essential in the fuller discussion 
of the individual topic. Some of these topics while not 
immediately belonging to the life of the College, are given 
a place because they describe the conditions under which 
it was carried on. 

I wish to express my thanks to the many members of 
the alumni and to others who have answered my letters 
of inquiry, and have filled out by their memory the lack 
of written records. I can but hope that coming genera- 
tions of those having to do with the College will be more 
successful in preserving documents that have to do with 
its history than many of those having such charge have 
been in the past. 

I wish also to express my thanks to my wife, who has, 
with painstaking care, entirely prepared the manuscript 
of the volume for the press. 

John K. Lord. 

Dartmouth College, June, 1913. 



CONTENTS OF VOLUME II. 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE COLLEGE CHURCH AND THE CAUSES LEADING UP TO THE 
GREAT CONTROVERSY. 

The Accession of John Wheelock to the Presidency and His Re- 
lation to the Board. — The College Church and Its Pastors. — The 
Meeting House and Controversy over Its Use. — Election of Roswell 
Shurtleff as Professor of Divinity and His Call to be Pastor of the 
College Church. — Opposition of President Wheelock, and Resulting 
Disagreement between the Branches of the Church in Hanover 
and Dothan. — Ecclesiastical Councils and Organization of New 
Church. — Further Difficulties and Attempt of Wheelock to Enlist 
the Trustees I 

CHAPTER X. 

THE COLLEGE AND THE UNIVERSITY; THE COLLEGE CASE, 
1815-1820. 

The Board of Trust. — Wheelock Appeals to the Legislature. — 
Committee of Investigation Appointed. — Removal of Wheelock 
from the Presidency, — "Vindication" of the Trustees. — Change 
in Political Parties and Passing of an Act Altering the Charter of 
the College. — Refusal of the Trustees to Accept the Amended 
Charter. — Failure of the University Boards to Organize. — Secre- 
tary of Board Adheres to University. — Trustees Bring Suit for Their 
Records. — University Act Amended and Penalties Denounced 
against College Officers and They Are Removed by University 
Board. — Wheelock Elected President of University. — His Death. 
— William Allen His Successor. — Decision in the College Case 
in State Courts Adverse to College. — Appeal to Washington. — 
The Argument and Decision. — Final Action in Circuit Court. — 
Collapse of University. — Its Finances 62 

CHAPTER XL 

THE COLLEGE UNDER PRESIDENTS DANA AND TYLER, 
I 820-1 828. 

Finances of the College. — Movements in Opposition. — Death 
of President Brown. — Changes in the Faculty and Election of Rev. 
Daniel Dana as President. — Failure of His Health and Succession 
of Rev. Bennet Tyler. — Internal Affairs of the College. . . . 175 



vi Contents. 

CHAPTER XII. 

THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT LORD, 1828-1863. 

New Buildings. — Moor's School and Wheelock Lands. — 
Changes in the Board and the Faculty and in Methods of Adminis- 
tration. — The College Pulpit. — The Anti-slavery Movement. — 
Professor Hale. — Reed Hall. — Advance and Decline in Numbers. 

— Subscription, and Gift of Mr. Appleton. — Temperance. — 
Disturbances. — Dr. Shattuclc's Gift and the Observatory. — 
Opening of the Chandler School. — Eulogy on Webster. — The 
Civil War and Its Effect on the College. — Pro-slavery Views of 
President Lord. — His Resignation 218 

CHAPTER XIII. 

THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT SMITH, 1863-1877. 

Changes in College Methods and Officers. — The Gymnasium. — 
The Agricultural College and Mr. Culver's Gift. — The Thayer 
School. — The Centennial. — Discipline. — The Beginning of Ath- 
letics. — Alumni Representation. — Improvements in the Buildings. 

— Union of the Libraries. — Admission by Certificate. — Finances. 

— Resignation of President Smith 334 

CHAPTER XIV. 

THE COLLEGE UNDER PRESIDENT BARTLETT, 1877-1892. 

New Endowments. — A New Chapel and a New Library. — 
Controversy Connected with the Chandler School. — The Latin- 
Scientific Course. — Electives and Honors. — Death of Professors 
Brown, Noyes and Sanborn. — Fires. — The Inn and the Chris- 
tian Association Building. — Removal of the Agricultural College. 

— The Second Movement for Alumni Representation 413 

CHAPTER XV. 
THE COLLEGE UNDER PRESIDENT TUCKER, 1893-1909. 

Condition of the College and Principles of the New Administra- 
tion. — Extension and Consolidation. — Close Union of the Chandler 
School with the College. — Alumni Athletic Field. — Gifts and 
Bequests. — Enlargement of the Plant. — Burning and Rebuild- 
ing of Dartmouth Hall. — The Tuck School. — Measures of 
Scholarship and Administration. — Summary of the Progress of 
the College 472 



Contents. vii 



SPECIAL TOPICS. 

1. The Library 508 

2. The Literary Societies and the Fraternities 515 

3. The Phi Beta Kappa Society 539 

4. The Northern Academy 548 

5. The Handel Society 552 

6. Religious Societies 560 

7. Commencements 571 

8. Term Bills and Fees 585 

9. College Laws 589 

10. The Catalogue 596 

11. The Museum and Cabinet 601 

12. The Philosophical Apparatus 607 

13. The College Bell 611 

14. Mails, and Means and Routes of Travel 614 

15. The River; Dams, Locks and Bridges 627 

16. Railroads 663 



APPENDIX. 

Appendix A. President Wheelock's Memorial 671 

" B. Remonstrance of the Trustees 675 

" C. Catalogue of the University 682 

" D. Action of the Trustees Refusing to Accept a Change in 

the Charter 687 

" E. Remonstrance of the University Trustees 695 

" F. Contract Between Dartmouth College and the Agri- 
cultural College 697 

" G. Circular of R. Graves 700 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 
PORTRAITS. 

FACING 
PAGE 

John Wheelock Frontispiece 

Roswell Shurtleff l6 

Francis Brown 62 

Thomas W. Thompson 73 

Nathan Smith 106 

William Allen 115 

The College Counsel 139 

Daniel Dana 175 

Bennet Tyler 198 

Nathan Lord 218 

Charles Marsh 290 

Daniel Webster 304 

Asa D. Smith 334 

Samuel C. Bartlett 413 

William J. Tucker 472 

Mills Olcott 632 

VIEWS, ETC. 

Medical Building, 1812 184 

College Yard, 1829-1840 224 

The College, 1852 284 

The Village, 1855 286 

Commencement Tent, 1869 364 

Hotel in 1826 445 

Hotel in 1866 445 

College in 1910 494 

College in 1790 508 

Society Medal* 521 

Views of the River 640 



HISTORY 

OF 

DARTxMOUTH COLLEGE. 



CHAPTER IX. 

1795-1814. 

THE COLLEGE CHURCH AND THE CAUSES LEADING UP TO THE GREAT 
COLLEGE CONTROVERSY. 

THE close of the presidency of the second Wheelock was 
made memorable by a controversy which imperilled the 
existence of the College, bringing it to the verge of ruin, and 
left behind it alienations and bitterness that had efifect for half 
a century. It involved the State as well as the College, entering 
as a large factor into the contests of political parties, and in 
the attempt to supplant the College by a University raising 
questions of law in whose discussion the ablest lawyers of the 
State and the Nation took part. The origin of the contest is 
as obscure as the outbreak was unexpected, yet it can be traced 
to the character of President John Wheelock, to his stubborn 
will and his determination to have his way at all hazards. 

The charter gave to the first President of the College the 
right to appoint his successor in office until such appointment 
should be disapproved by the Trustees.^ The first choice of 
President Wheelock was his son, Ralph, and his second choice 
was his stepson, the Rev. John Maltby, but the former was 
incapacitated by ill health and the latter died in 1771. The 
President, therefore, named in his will as his successor his second 
son, John Wheelock, who at the death of his father was a young 
man of twenty-five, eight years out of college, and a lieutenant- 
colonel in the Continental army. He had no training, especially 
in divinity, then regarded as essential for the presidency of a 

» Vol. I, p. 563. 



2 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. IX. 

college, and neither he nor the Trustees acted hastily in accepting 
or confirming the appointment. Yet the Trustees were the 
more ready of the two. The situation was a very difficult one. 
The College was in serious financial straits, its funds were almost 
wholly in uncultivated and unsalable lands, it was much in 
debt, and in the critical condition of the times it had few friends 
who were able to give it any financial support. It had been 
considered and administered by the first President as a family 
institution and as such he devised it to his son. He regarded 
the Trustees, and they regarded themselves, as only the 
machinery for putting into public activity his personal 
plans. Naturally they did not take the initiative, and seldom 
interposed any objection to the carrying out of his wishes, and 
if they did he proceeded, as in the case of Mr. Sherburn, to 
secure their retirement.^ At his death they had no desire 
to assume the active responsibility of administering a college, 
whose affairs were so involved and of whose future some of them 
at least were very doubtful. To pass over his first choice and 
take his second or third would have been an independent exer- 
cise of judgment that might have called for a new policy, and 
for this the Trustees were not ready, and in fact did not desire it. 
Apart from the unwillingness of the Trustees to assume a 
larger and more responsible part in the administration of the 
College there were good reasons why the first nomination of 
the will should be approved. John Wheelock was indeed young 
and without the training expected in a college president, but 
his very youth, if accompanied by discretion, good judgment 
and energy, was in his favor, and his father's choice of him 
indicated a confidence on these points that was in itself a powerful 
recommendation, and if his qualifications were uncertain, it 
might be hoped that they would develope favorably in the 
work of administration. A stranger could not have the same 
interest in the College as a member of the first President's own 
family, and, above all, a son would be zealous to foster an 
institution with which his father's name and fame were insepa- 
rably connected. To the interest that he would have in admin- 
istering the College on his own account would be added that 
of family pride in justifying his father's foresight and wisdom 
and in bringing to successful operation the plans which he had 
made. The financial affairs, too, of the College were mixed 
with those of Dr. Wheelock, and difficulties beset them both. 

1 Vol. I, p. 541- 



I795-I8I4-] College Church and Controversy. 3 

Dr. Wheelock had used money of his own for the College, and 
though in his will he gave to the College the amounts so advanced, 
thus relieving the College of a debt that would have been an 
unsupportable burden, yet it was on condition of an annuity 
of £50, equivalent to 5 per cent on the principal, to his son, 
Ralph, and the Trustees felt under obligation to assume other 
claims for which Dr. Wheelock had made himself liable when 
acting for the College.^ In view of these financial relations 
it was desirable that the new head of the College should be one 
who supposably would find no antagonism between its interests 
and those of Dr. Wheelock's estate. 

For these reasons the Trustees naturally, if not inevitably, 
turned to John Wheelock, and in spite of his youth and inex- 
perience first invited and then urged him to take the presidency 
of the College, to which his father had nominated him. His 
acceptance, somewhat slowly given, did not relieve them of 
serious financial difficulties, but it did assure them of a con- 
tinuance of the existing method of administration and of the 
community of interests between the College and the Wheelock 
family.* The new president, apart from his age, had not the 
authority of his father, for his father was the founder of the 
College, and the history of its first ten years was the history 
of his personal trials, endeavors and success. With him had 
passed the patriarchal administration, but the family element 
still remained. The elder Wheelock had specifically devised 
to his successor all the rights, etc., which he had as founder, 

» Vol. I. p. 567. 

2 President Stiles in his diary under date of November 6, i779 wrote: "Rev. Mr. McClure 
one of the Trustees in a Letter dated 24 Oct. writes me: 'The President's Chair at Dartm" Coll. 
continues vacant. The Person who was first in the List, declined giving an Answer or declaring 
his Acceptance. It is thot I believe by some of his Friends that he will not accept. The Choice 
then falls on Mr. Huntington, who I apprehend sustains a Character among the Friends of 
Learning and Religion that will give Reput" to that young sylvan Seat of the Muses, should the 
College be so happy as to obtain him. Its funds for present Support are very inconsiderable. 
The times have affected the College and lessened the N° of Students. — To keep it alive until 
good Providence gives us to see happier Days will perhaps be as much as can be done.' " VoL 
II. 386. 

Again under date of November 26 he wrote: 

"I am informed that Col. John Wheelock aelat. 26, has accepted the Presidency of Dart- 
mouth College. . . . [He names the Trustees]. Of these Col. Atkinson and Dr. Pumroy 
are clearly for Col. Wheelock. My Idea of the rest is, that they are all against him, and would 
negative him, and elect Mr. Huntington or some other Person, had they a present Support. 
But as his Father has left him his Dwellinghouse and a fine Estate, so that he can live with but 
little subsistence from the College, I believe the Trustees will let him remain. It is said that 
from great Gaiety he has become mighty grave, is studying Divinity, endeavors to ingratiate 
himself with the Scholars and to this end has erected a fence round the College and has painted 
the College Rooms at his own Expence." Vol. II, 392. 



4 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. IX. 

and John Wheelock was not a man to give up anything that 
he claimed as his right or his property. 

For many years there was Httle change in the administration 
of the College. The Trustees willingly left its affairs to the 
discretion of the President, who, if he did not possess the 
ability of his father, was, as it appeared, truly devoted to its 
interests, and who could call the growth of the College to witness 
the success of his labors. They heartily supported him, and 
while in their poverty they were frequently in arrears in the 
payment of his salary, they voted him from time to time various 
sums in recognition of his services and their indebtedness, 
which he as often asked them to retain as a gift from him. On 
September 21, 1782, three years after he assumed the presidency, 
during which time he had received no salary, the Board voted 
"That this Board esteem the finances of the College such as 
will not admit a compensation to the President, any way ade- 
quate to his station and services, as we esteem $1,000 per annum 
to be his just due; yet considering that his circumstances require 
something to be advanced towards his support, the Board hereby 
order $1,000 to be granted to him in part payment for his 
services for three years past. This resolution being communi- 
cated to the President, he signified his intention not to accept 
any pecuniary reward for his past services, yet he had the highest 
sense of the liberality of the Board," and thereupon the Board 
again resolved, "That this Board have a most grateful sense 
of the liberality of the Hon. President of this University in the 
generous donation of $3,000 due to him which he has this day 
made for the benefit of this Institution; and beg that their 
thankful acknowledgments, for this and many other singular 
favors, may be acceptable to the President." 

It is probable that before passing the first vote the Board 
knew that the President would not accept the sum granted 
him, and that the vote was intended only as a compliment, 
for the sum which was said to be the proper annual due of the 
President was not only more than the combined salaries of the 
three professors, but exceeded the entire income of the College, 
and it would have been impossible for the College to pay even 
the $1,000 which were granted. The generosity of the President 
in making no claim for salary was a great service to the College 
and deserved the gratitude of the Trustees, and there is no 
reason to think, as was afterward charged, that he had at that 
time any sinister purpose, or acted from any motive except the 



1795-1814] College Church and Controversy. 5 

wish to aid the College in the most effective way. It is hardly 
fair to credit him with having then formed a far-reaching plan 
for bringing the Trustees under his control, by ensnaring them 
with favors on his part and with expressions of gratitude and 
confidence on theirs. 

As this vote of the Board made no provision for the future 
salary of the President, he continued for four years more without 
one, though in 1785 the Board voted him, without regard to 
salary, "£60 for the support of his table the year past," a sum 
more than double the salary of a professor. Again in 1786 
(September 22) the Trustees in consideration of the fact that 
the President had received no salary since he entered on office, 
that he had declined what was voted him in 1782, and that the 
college finances were still infirm, granted to him "two hundred 
pounds lawful money, salary per annum, from Commencement 
A. D. 1782, to the present time, and for the year ensuing; and 
his said salary to rise, so fast as the finances of the College 
will admit, until it amount to three hundred pounds per annum." 
In response to this vote the President "signified his desire 
that the Board accept of eight hundred pounds due to him 
. . . provided that he shall die before he shall have made 
a particular arrangement for the application of said sum." In 
the case of his death the money was to be applied by the Trustees 
"as they shall think proper, as a permanent fund for some 
office of the College." The Trustees accepted the gift "under 
the restrictions mentioned" with their thanks to the President 
for "his beneficent disposition towards this literary institution." 

From 1786 £200 became the stated salary of the President 
till 1795 when it was raised to £233, and again in 1807 to $812, 
and in addition to this he received $40 or $45 a year for expenses 
incurred in entertaining at Commencement, till 1798 when the 
sum was $70, and from 1790 for a number of years the sum of 
$20 to $30 for his taxes. In 1789 the President, being under 
financial embarrassments, asked of the Board the use of the 
eight hundred pounds previously given to them, and the Board 
voted to him the rents of 500 acres of land, but it does not 
appear for how long the assignment was made. In the same year 
the President received the rents of 100 acres in Lebanon, "in 
addition to his salary" and in 1796 he received 50 acres near 
the College in exchange for the same number in Lebanon. In 
1795 there was a settlement of accounts between the Board 
and the President by which it appeared that there was a balance 



6 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. ix. 

due the President of £477 125. ^d. In payment of this amount, 
and in consideration of the fact that the President relinquished 
all claim to more than the sum of £200 per annum by virtue 
of any previous vote, the Board conveyed to him "the annual 
rents which shall become due on about six hundred and twenty 
acres of land" in Hanover and Lebanon "in the neighborhood 
of Greensboro (so called), said rents amounting to the sum of 
£56 75. od. per annum." For several years from 1797 $100 
a year were allowed the President in addition to his stated 
salary in view of the depreciation of the currency. By 1804, 
twenty-five years after Wheelock entered on the presidency, 
he had served the college seven years without a salary, making 
an absolute gift of that due for three years and a conditional 
gift of that for four years, afterward recalling the use of this 
gift for several years. From 1786 he received a stated salary 
fully as large as the finances of the College could afford and 
proportionately larger than the salaries of the professors, together 
with other gifts as mentioned above, and at the end of his presi- 
dency he was the possessor of over twelve hundred acres of land 
that had belonged to the College. 

As was said in the former volume^ President Wheelock had 
charge of the lands of the College in his capacity as "financier" 
till 1806, and no account was ever rendered of the disposal or 
renting of them so that it can not be exactly told how they were 
made serviceable to the College. The College was never free 
from debt, which was especially heavy in consequence of the 
building of Dartmouth Hall, and President Wheelock advanced 
considerable sums from time to time so that in the final settle- 
ment the College was indebted to him in the sum of $7,886.41.* 
In addition to his work as President he had a part in instruction, 
being Professor of History from 1782 and hearing the senior 
class in philosophy. No one who considers his long years of 
service, filled with labors, anxieties and discouragements, can 
doubt his interest in the College and his devotion to it, or question 
the sincerity of the statement^ that he intended to make the 
College "heir to one moiety of his estate." That the College 
was a family institution was a belief which he inherited from 

» Vol. I, p. 632. 

' This was the sum awarded the " Executors of the last will and testament of John Whee- 
lock," at the May term of Court at Plymouth, 1820. Costs were additional. 

» A Candid, Analytical Review of the Sketches of the History of Dartmouth College, etc., 
p. 31. One of the pamphlets appearing at the time of the controversy. It was published 
anonymously. See page 64- 



i795-i8i4.] College Church and Controversy. 7 

his father, and his experience in its management identified 
him with it still more closely and strengthened the feeling that 
he should have the entire management of it. All the circum- 
stances of his relation to the College tended to intensify his 
natural wish for supremacy in all with which he had to do, 
and led him to think that his will ought to control all its affairs. 

By 1804, twenty-five years after Wheelock became President, 
the Board of Trust had almost wholly changed. Eden Bur- 
roughs, who entered it in 1773, still remained, but of the other 
members, besides the President, two had taken their seats 
in 1788, three in 1793 and all the others since 1800. The relation 
of the new members to the College was, of course, very different 
from that of their predecessors in office. None of them had 
had official relations with the first Wheelock. The personal 
element which he had introduced into the administration as 
founder of the College had disappeared, and the consequent 
readiness of the Trustees to follow without serious question 
the suggestions of the President had given place to a sense 
of responsibility for the institution of which they were the legal 
guardians. Many, if not all, of the new members were men 
of independent judgment, who were not content blindly to 
follow another or to act without reasons that were satisfactory 
to themselves. As time went on this independence became mare 
marked and, though no open opposition developed, there was 
an increasing tendency to discuss measures and appointments 
on other grounds than as suggestions of the President, while 
on his part he was more tenacious in seeking to maintain his 
position of supremacy. It is probable, however, that no open 
rupture would have occurred had it not been for a quarrel in 
the local church in which President Wheelock bore a leading 
part. His persistent efforts to involve the College in the quarrel 
through action by the Trustes favorable to his side, led to 
serious dissatisfaction on the part of many in the Board, and 
his failure to secure their support was the immediate cause of 
the open break. To understand the situation it will be neces- 
sary to consider the affairs of the church. 

The College church is almost as old as the College, having 
been gathered by Eleazar Wheelock January 23, 1771, in the 
midst of a religious revival which began a few months after 
he came to Hanover with his family and students. It was 
composed of twenty-seven members, and took the name of 
"The Church of Christ at Dartmouth College." As Dr. Whee- 



8 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. ix. 

lock established it without the concurrence of other churches 
it had an independent standing, corresponding to that of the 
churches of the Congregational order, but in 1773 it united, 
under the Presbyterian form of government, with the churches 
at the Center of the Town, Lyme, Orford, Piermont, Norwich 
and Pomfret, and later with others, to form the "Grafton 
Presbytery." It included in its membership, as the years went 
on, not only the residents of the village but inhabitants of 
Norwich and Hartford, especially of that part of Hartford 
about three miles from the College, known as Dothan. Dr. 
Wheelock served as its pastor during his life time and at his 
death, in 1779, his son-in-law, Professor Sylvanus Ripley, 
succeeded him, continuing in that relation till his death in 1787. 
An extraordinary revival, during which about eighty were 
added to the College church, occurred in the years 1781 and 
1782. In the latter year Professor John Smith was associated 
with Professor Ripley and was annually chosen pastor till 
on the death of the latter he became the sole pastor of the 
church under the following vote: 

At a meeting of the church of Christ at Dartmouth College, November 25th, 
1787. The said church unanimously chose the reverend John Smith for their 
pajjtor and to act in that relation to them, as long as it shall be agreeable and 
convenient for him and them. 

In view of the fact that this relation continued till 1804 it 
cannot be regarded as a temporary one, but the wording of the 
vote on which it rested showed that its basis was the mutual 
convenience of the parties, a matter that became of moment at a 
later time. That the church so regarded it was shown by their 
action at the termination of the pastorate, and that it was Pro- 
fessor Smith's view also was attested by many expressions in 
which as early as 1795 he indicated his desire to be relieved of his 
office. He was professor of languages and not of theology, and 
it was his expectation that the professor of divinity, when one 
should be appointed, would assume the duties of the college 
pulpit. This was the view of the Trustees also and when, in 
February, 1796, they elected the Rev. Charles Backus to that 
chair, they assigned as a part of his duties "to preach on the 
Sabbath." Mr. Backus did not accept the appointment, and 
the Trustees again requested Professor Smith "to preach as 
before." A similar vote was passed from year to year till 1803. 

In 1802 the professorship of theology was offered to the Rev. 
Archibald Alexander of Princeton, N. J., but as he declined to 



1795-1814] College Church and Controversy. 9 

accept it Professor Smith continued to occupy the college pulpit. 
The next year it was again offered to the Rev. Samuel Worcester 
of Salem, Mass. In the expectation that he would accept, yet 
in the possible uncertainty, the Trustees varied their vote from 
the form of the years preceding and requested Professor Smith 
"to ofificiate as Professor of Divinity during the absence of the 
Professor elect," and directed that a part of his duties as such 
should be "to preach on the Sabbath." They further provided 
for the work of Professor Smith, in case Mr. Worcester should 
accept, by voting that "when a Professor of Theology shall be 
inaugurated at this College it shall be the duty of the Professor 
of the Learned Languages to deliver . . . public lectures 
upon the Learned Languages and language generally." But 
Mr. Worcester did not accept and Professor Smith performed the 
duties of the chair as requested till, at the annual meeting in 
August, 1804, Roswell Shurtleff, a graduate of 1799, who had been 
tutor for four years, was chosen Phillips Professor of Theology, 
and accepted the position. His election, though unanimous on 
the part of the Trustees and acceptable both to the College and 
the village, was the immediate occasion of the violent church 
quarrel that led up to the controversy between the College and 
the State. 

An earlier cause of friction had been the use of the meeting 
house. It will be remembered that the villagers had an interest 
in the chapel of i79oS which was in course of time extinguished 
by purchase on the part of the College. But the building was 
too small for the joint use of the College and the village, and 
especially for the College on Commencement days. The College 
was too poor to erect another building, and soon a movement was 
started among the citizens to build a meeting house. President 
Wheelock specially urged that the house should be made large 
enough to accommodate the College as well as the village, includ- 
ing the requirements of Commencement days, and gave positive 
verbal assurances that, as soon as they should be able, the Trus- 
tees would return to the proprietors a part of the expense of the 
building, and, in the meantime, would pay for the use of it by 
the College.^ 

1 Vol. I. p. s8i. 

2 A True and Concise Narrative of the Origin and Progress of the Church Difficulties in 
tlie Vicinity of Dartmouth College in Hanover. The same being the Origin of President 
Wheelock's Disaffection to the Trustees and Professors of the College, with documents relating 
thereto. By Benoni Dewey, James Wheelock, and Ben. J. Gilbert, a Committee of the 
Congregational Church there, appointed for the purpose. P. 33. 



10 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. IX, 

In February of 1794 a meeting was held at the house of Gen. 
Ebenezer Brewster "for the purpose of concerting measures for 
erecting a meeting house." A committee was then appointed 
which reported at a meeting held March 10, at the house of 
Humphrey Farrar, when it was 

Voted that a meeting house be erected in said Vicinity of sixty six by sixty 
feet on the ground, with thirty feet posts with a belcony at one end of about 
fifteen feet square containing two staircases for passageways to the galleries — 
the belcony to be about fifty feet to the floor of the steeple and the steeple 
about the same height above said floor — the house to contain fifty seven win- 
dows — the windows in general to contain twenty-eight squares of ten by eight 
glass — three windows to be large and crowned and four round — the floor to 
contain about sixty six pews as near 7^ by 5^ feet as convenience will admit — 
The pulpit to be at the end opposite the belcony. 1 

It was further decided that the building should be "erected 
and compleated ' ' by the first day of November of the next year, 
"according to the rules of good workmanship for a building of 
such kind including painting the whole of the outside and so much 
of the inside as is usual to be painted in well finished meeting 
houses." The expense of the building was to be met "by the 
sale of the pews at vendue on the following conditions : 

1st. That each person pay six twelfths of his purchase in cash at installments 
as follows, two such parts on or before the first day of January next — one other 
part so soon as the frame of said house shall be raised — one other part when 
the outside shall be compleated and the remaining two parts when the building 
and the painting shall be compleated — 

2nd. That the other six twelfth parts be paid in beef pork grain lumber and 
labor at cash price as follows, viz. three such parts in beef pork and grain one 
half thereof on or before the first day of Januar>' next and the other half when 
the house is compleated — two such twelfth parts in lumber suitable for the 
building and of such kind as may be needful and at the place where the house 
shall be agreed to be erected and payment to be made on or before the first day 
of November next at the following prices, viz. clear sound boards at thirty two 
shillings pr thousand merchantcable board at twenty four shilling pr thousand, 
good rived clapboards at forty shillings pr thousand good rived shingles at 
eight shillings pr thousand — and one twelfth part in labor of common laborers 
on seven days previous notice between the first day of Sept. next and the first 
day of June A. D. 1795 at three shillings & six pence pr day such laborer finding 
himself victuals & drink.' 

The payment of the dues was secured by notes based upon the 
sale of pews which took place April i, 1794, and amounted to 
£1,380 6 s. o d. Ebenezer Woodward led the bidding and, 

> Records of the Proprietors of the Meeting house in the vicinity of Dartmouth College. 

> Records of the Proprietors. 



I795-I8I4-] College Church and Controversy. ii 

securing the first choice of pews by a premium of $40, selected 
the front pew on the right of the middle aisle, paying £30 for it 
in addition to the premium. The contract for the building was 
awarded after competitive bids to Col. David Curtis for $4,430. 
The site chosen was the lot of Richard Lang "on the north side 
of the College green" for which £50 were paid. Mr. George 
Foot, who owned the adjoining lot on the east, added something 
by gift to enlarge the church lot, and an attempt was made to 
secure the "red house, the land and barn" that occupied the 
corner where the vestry now stands, but without success. In 
the spring of 1795 the work was begun and pushed rapidly for- 
ward. Beza. Woodward, Ebenezer Brewster and Ebenezer Lane 
were a committee to superintend the work in the interest of the 
proprietors, who determined the details of the construction. The 
steeple was to have two balls, the lower one of wood "sufficiently 
painted, thoroughly dried, and overlaid with gold leaf." The 
upper one was to be of "metal and gilt also." The roof of the 
steeple was to be of a "slate color" and the interior a uniform 
white with a "very light tinge of blue." A "timepiece" was to 
be purchased and placed "in front of the gallery," but there was 
not money enough to purchase glass for the " lanthern windows, " 
though the proprietors were willing to have glass windows, 
provided they could be furnished without expense to them. The 
galleries, which were entered from the "belcony" at the south 
end of the church extended across that end and along the whole 
east and west sides, and over the pulpit was a sounding board. 

The final cost of the house, exclusive of the grading in front, 
was £1,500 155. od. (almost exactly $5,000), £120 95. od. more 
than the sum realized from the sale of the pews. Fifteen pews' 
on the floor of the house remained untaken and all the galleries, 
but the front seat in the south gallery and so much of the front 
seats in the side galleries as might be necessary, were appropri- 
ated for the use of music. To secure the amount necessary for 
the completion of the house the proprietors assessed themselves 
in proportion to their existing holdings, and each one was to 
have his proportional right in the undivided pews on the floor 
of the house and in the east gallery. If any one did not wish to 
pay the assessment he might pass his right to any one who would 
pay it. In this way the money was secured and the building 
was completed without debt. The building was dedicated on 
Sunday December 13, 1795, by public exercises to which the 
inhabitants of the vicinity were invited by an advertisement in 



12 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. ix. 

the Eagle. Professor Smith preached the dedicatory sermon. 
The proprietors arranged for music with the musical society 
of the College, giving the performers the front seats in the gal- 
lery, as has been said, and consulting "as to the tunes which 
shall be sung and other matters" necessary in connection with 
m.usic. The result was not wholly satisfactory and in April, 
1796, they voted to "request the inhabitants who can sing to 
meet at stated times for the purpose of improving in music till 
such time as some measures for joining with the musical society in 
College are adopted." 

In accordance with the expectation of the proprietors that the 
students would worship with the village in the new meeting 
house the Trustees, at their annual meeting in August, 1795, 
appointed a committee to confer with the proprietors as to the 
terms on which they could have the use of the house for the 
students for worship, and on public occasions, and also whether 
some arrangement could be made by which the Board and the 
people might unitedly contribute to the support of preaching. 

On the 1 8th of November, following, the proprietors voted to 
give to the Trustees for the accommodation of the students the 
west half of the gallery, except so much as might be necessary 
for music, for which the Trustees were to pay a "reasonable 
compensation. " When the house was ready for occupancy the 
preaching services under the care of Professor Smith were trans- 
ferred to it from the chapel, the proprietors taking their several 
pews and the students the west gallery. But though the 
students came to the meeting house to worship, a definite ar- 
rangement had not been completed between the Trustees and 
the proprietors, and the former at an adjourned meeting in 
February, 1796, appointed Bezaleel Woodward, a member of 
the Board, "to agree with the proprietors of the Meeting house 
respecting the use of that house for the Trustees, the students 
and the Public at the next Commencement and to report on 
what terms it can be had in future on public occasions." A 
committee of the proprietors, consisting of B. J. Gilbert, Benoni 
Dewey and David Curtis, conferred with Professor Woodward and 
on May 2, 1796, reported that the Trustees recognized that the 
proprietors had been at a great expense in building a house larger 
than the local need, with a special view to the wants of the Col- 
lege on its Commencement days and public occasions, and that 
they were "willing to make reasonable compensation for the 
accommodations" which they could secure in the house. The 



1795-1814-] College Church and Controversy. 13 

committee recommended that, as before proposed, the west 
gallery be reserved for the students, under the agreement that 
the Trustees pay for any damage done by them, and also such 
rent as was "paid by the Overseers or Trustees of Harvard Uni- 
versity for similar accommodations in the meeting house in 
Cambridge," which the committee believed was one dollar a 
year for each student. A further recommendation practically 
gave the house into the custody of the Trustees for Commence- 
ment and like occasions. The report was accepted "as a mode 
the most eligible" and the committee was continued to carry 
its provisions into effect.^ 

The Trustees so far accepted the terms of the report by Mr. 
Woodward as to vote at their meeting in August, following, that 
"each member of the College shall pay one dollar on the second 
Wednesday in March for preaching and the use of seats in the 
meeting house for the ensuing year," but instead of adopting 
the agreement they appointed another committee consisting of 
Messrs. Woodward and Freeman "to confer with the proprietors 
of the miceting house in the vicinity of this College on the terms 
on which the members of the University shall have the privilege 
of seats in said house and to agree with said proprietors on the 
premises and to make report of their proceedings at the next 
meeting of the Board and also to make compensation to the 
proprietors for the use of the seats by the members of the College 
for the ensuing year and for past demands." 

The involved and clumsy phraseology of this vote points very 
clearly to President Wheelock as its author, and the vote itself 
indicates that though he was one of the proprietors he was not 
in accord with their demands. The committee and the pro- 
prietors could not come to any further agreement, and when 
the next college year began the students were greatly disturbed 
by the requirement that they should each pay a dollar toward 
the support of preaching and the rent of the house. The pro- 
prietors asserted^ that their uneasiness "was probably excited 
by the President himself," as a means of forcing the proprietors 
to modify their demands. So obnoxious was the tax that it was 
remitted at the next meeting of the Trustees. But still a definite 
agreement could not be reached and the possible withdrawal of 
the students from the church was clearly hinted in the vote of 
the Trustees in August, 1797, in which they appropriated $120 

» Records of the Proprietors. 

2 True and Concise Narrative, p. 60. 



14 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. IX. 

to Professor Smith for preaching during the next year, and 
required that " pubUc worship on the sabbath be attended . . . 
either in the meeting house in the vicinity or the chapel as the 
officers may determine so that no expense accrue to the board 
for seats, excepting for unreasonable damage done by the students 
in the apartments where they may sit." This vote not only 
implied a possible separation but was directly contrary to the 
previous votes of the Trustees and actually denied the proprietors 
claim for compensation for the seats occupied by the students. 
It is not surprising, therefore, that it was met by an indignant 
vote of the proprietors in October that they had "nothing to do 
with the votes of the board of Trustees further than to hear them. " 

In his Sketches* President Wheelock represents the determina- 
tion of the proprietors to require pay for the seats as the cause 
of the failure to agree, but from their first action in 1795 till this 
vote the Trustees had recognized the right of the proprietors to 
compensation, and by the tax of one dollar on each student had 
practically met the suggestion of the proprietors. The latter, 
as far as appears, had never varied their demands, and when the 
President, acting under the last vote of the Trustees, threatened 
to withdraw the students to .the chapel they declared that they 
were desirous to have the officers and students of the College con- 
tinue to worship in their house, provided it could be on reasonable 
and honorable terms, and in case of disagreement in respect to 
terms they were "willing that the same be determined by indif- 
ferent and judicious men." 

The change in the attitude of the Trustees seems to have been 
due to the President's opposition; this arose from his desire for 
power and control which, as the proprietors asserted at a later 
time,' was such that "everything must yield to his will and pleas- 
ure or controversy must ensue." When he could not control the 
affairs of the meeting house he withdrew, in November, 1797, 
the students to the chapel for all religious services, taking with 
him Professor Smith as preacher. Only one member followed 
the President to the chapel, and the church left without a minis- 
ter did as best it could for two months. The announcement by 
Professor Smith of a communion service to be held in the chapel 
led to a remonstrance drawn up by Professor Woodward, on the 
ground that as the church had voted to hold its communion serv- 

> Sketches of the History of Dartmouth College and Moor's Charity School, with a particular 
account of some late remarkable proceedings of the Board of Trustees, from the year I779 to 
the year 1815, p. 16. See p. 64. 

2 True and Concise Narrative, etc., p. 63. 



I795-I8I4-] College Church and Controversy. 15 

ices only at the meeting house Professor Smith had no right to 
appoint such service for the church at the chapel. Professor 
Smith acknowledged that this was so, but after conference with 
the President reported that the President would not consent to 
a change, and the service was held as announced. After a time 
it appeared that the seceders would like to return to the meeting 
house, but Professor Smith was apprehensive that because of his 
leaving and of his subserviency to the President the proprietors 
would not wish him to come back. Toward the last of Decem- 
ber, however, they voted that they would be glad to have the 
students return on the same conditions as before and that it 
would be agreeable to have Mr, Smith preach in the house again. 
He accordingly returned together with the students, and in the fol- 
lowing year a settlement was made with the Trustees by which 
they paid $100 for the use of the church for the two years, to 
September, 1797, and the same rate of payment was continued 
for some years from that time. All difficulties were apparently 
settled though afterward the President referred to this disagree- 
ment as an important cause in the troubles that arose in 1804, 
and described it as the work of the "evil hands" of those oppos- 
ing him. 

But there were still disturbing forces at work. The church 
did not fail to feel the effect of the movement that was changing 
the Presbyterian churches of the section into Congregational. 
The Grafton Presbytery came to an end about 1800. After 
that time the Hanover church was the only one that belonged 
to the Presbytery, and that it was affected by the spirit of Con- 
gregationalism is indicated by the fact that in 1796 it spent two 
meetings in discussing the "propriety of having ruling elders in 
the church, and the scripture warrant for the establishment," 
and that though the church voted to elect elders yet Deacon 
John Payne resigned his "office as an elder as he did not see his 
way clear to be ordained a ruling elder," and three months later 
asked a dismission to the Congregational church in Lebanon. 
In 1804 at a meeting held on the 19th of March the church voted, 
"That as we esteem it our duty, we desire gratefully to acknowl- 
edge the divine goodness, by which this church has enjoyed from 
its first establishment in this place, so great a degree of Christian 
order and peace under the presbyterian form of government, and, 
as we have a lively sense of the many advantages which result 
from this institution, and its conformity to the instructions and 
spirit of the gospel, it is our duty to continue to walk together 



1 6 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. IX. 

under this government, in the faith and fellowship of the 
gospel." 

No preamble or explanation accompanies this vote, but in 
view of later events it clearly shows the existence of discussion 
in the church on the subject of polity. A change of pastors was 
soon expected in connection with the appointment of a professor 
of theology, and some may have looked forward to a change in 
church government that would bring a closer association with 
the neighboring churches. But the majority was not ready for 
a change and President Wheelock in particular did not approve 
of a step that would throw the control of the church into the 
hands of the whole body and weaken the hold which he had upon 
it by his influence over Professor Smith. At the same meeting 
it was further "Voted, that we are well pleased with, and fully 
approve of the conduct of our reverend and worthy pastor: and 
would renew the expression of our desire, which was voted in 
Nov', 1787, that he would continue to us his pastoral care 
and administration." President Wheelock did not intend that 
Professor Smith should give up hjs position as pastor when the 
new professor of theolog>% whose election was certain in the near 
future, should come, but rather, as later events clearly showed, 
that he should hold his place with the new man as a colleague. 
This vote was an attempt to bind the church, at a time when 
opposition to it would seem to be personal opposition to Pro- 
fessor Smith and a move to deprive the church of a pastor when 
there was no existing possibility of supplying his place. The 
approval of his conduct was certainly not felt by all members of 
the church, and there was a desire on the part of many for a 
change in the pastorate as soon as the time for it should come. 
Professor Smith had many pleasant personal qualities, but he 
was not attractive as a preacher, and his lack of independence 
in relation to President Wheelock was a strong ground of dis- 
satisfaction. The church could not withdraw its request for 
him to act as its pastor, for it was so far dependent on the Col- 
lege that it could not support a pastor of its own, but many were 
ready to welcome a change when the professor of theology should 
come, but till then they could only assent to the vote proposed. 

In 1804, as has been said, Roswell Shurtleff was elected Pro- 
fessor of Theolog>\ Under ordinary conditions his election would 
have had no more interest than would naturally arise from 
the introduction of a new member into a small community, and 
a new officer into a small faculty, but in the view of the Presi- 




C^€'^r-yUJ--<JZJLy^^^ 



1795-1814] College Church and Controversy. 17 

dent the election of a new member of the Faculty had a peculiar 
significance; it meant a supporter or an opponent. For many- 
years there had been but two permanent members of the Faculty, 
Professor Bezaleel Woodward and Professor John Smith, of whom 
the former in the exercise of an independent judgment frequently 
disagreed with the President, and in the matter of the use of the 
church building had been entirely opposed to him, while the latter 
was so completely under the control of the President that in all 
college matters the President could depend on his unquestioned 
support, and through him could control the church so far as its 
action depended upon its pastor, as had been shown in 1797, 
when at the President's direction Professor Smith left the church 
building to preach in the chapel. Professor Woodward died 
August 25, 1804, while the Trustees were in session, and they 
elected in his place John Hubbard^ preceptor of the Academy at 
Deerfield, Mass, As it was necessary that the chair should be 
filled and as Mr. Hubbard's answer could not be secured before 
their adjournment, the Trustees selected Ebenezer Adams of 
Leicester, Mass., as an alternative choice, and in case he should 
decline, still further selected John Vose of Atkinson, N. H., for 
the place. Mr. Hubbard accepted the appointment and en- 
tered on his work in the fall. 

Mr. Shurtleff was not a stranger to the College or the com- 
munity. He had been a student when the trouble arose over 
the use of the church building, and later a tutor for four years. 
It was natural to think that on his return as professor he might 
be affected by feelings coming from his earlier relations and pos- 
sibly be not wholly in sympathy with the President. When the 
question of his election was before the Board Dr. Wheelock, 
therefore, was not willing to have the vote taken till he had as- 
sured himself that he could count on Mr. Shurtleff as a supporter. 
If he should be elected and not stand in that relation to the Presi- 
dent, not only might two of the three permanent members of the 
Faculty be in opposition, but the church with an independent 
pastor would pass from the controlling influence of the President. 
To obviate such a possibility Dr. Wheelock and Professor Smith 
sought an interview with Mr. Shurtleff to determine his attitude. 

'John Hubbard was born in Townsend, Mass., August 8, I7S9, and was graduted in the class 
of 1785. He studied divinity but turning to teaching was at New Ipswich, N. H. from 1788 to 
1795. and after being Judge of Probate for Cheshire County from 1789 to 1802, except from 
December, i797, to June, 1798, was preceptor of the academy at Deerfield, Mass., till his elec- 
tion at Dartmouth. He was a man of gentle temper, pleasing manners and scholarly taste. 
He published a small book on geography, a reading book and an essay on music. 

a 



1 8 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. ix. 

"During the interview," said Dr. Wheelock, "Mr. Shurtleff^ 
remarked that he had no objection to the church, nor to the Pres- 
byterian form of government. The President then plainly told 
him that his election depended on his disposition, and the assur- 
ances which he might give of his attachment to the church, and 
its form of government, and his erigagement to walk with them, 
and in friendship with Dr. Smith, until he should cease to be a 
pastor. The President then wished for a direct and categorical 
answer without any condition. He said it would he agreeable, 
and that he should if appointed, unite with the church and act 
as they might be inclined. Said the President, repeating it, 
'May we depend on you — He assented with a motion of his 
head in the words there shall be no difficulty.'" 

It was expected by the Trustees and the people that if Mr 
Shurtleflf were elected he would become pastor of the church in 
place of Professor Smith, and this interview was undoubtedly to 
secure his adhesion to President Wheelock in that capacity. Mr. 
Shurtleff anticipating no controversy naturally gave to his inter- 
viewers the assurance of his attachment to the church and that 
he could be depended on to walk in friendship with its members. 
That such an engagement bound him to follow blindly the Presi- 
dent in the controversies into which he was brought, but which 
he had nothing to do in bringing on, or that he intended to com- 
mit himself as a partisan was not a natural interpretation at the 
time or in accord with Mr. ShurtlefT's independent character. 
There was no controversy in the church at the time in which it 
was desired to commit Mr. Shurtleff, and the President sought 
only in a general way to gain a hold upon a new member of the 
Faculty and the new pastor of the church. He was casting an 
anchor to windward for storms that experience led him to think 
might come, and Mr. Shurtleff on his part gave assurances of 
amity that accorded with his relations and did not fetter his judg- 
ment or his action. 

Immediately after the election of Mr. Shurtleff the inhabitants 
of the village, feeling that action on their part was necessary, 
took measures to express to Mr. Shurtleff their desire that he 
should act as their pastor as well as preach to the students. On 
September i, as he had gone to Middlebury, Vt., Mr. William 
Woodward, a friend of the President's wrote him : " It is sincerely 
wished and desirable that you may find it consistent with your 
duty at an early day to return to this place. Doct. Smith con- 

» Sketches, etc.. p. i8. 



1795-1814.] College Church and Controversy. 19 

siders himself discharged, and the College and people here will 
from this time be destitute of a preacher." A week later the 
following letter was sent to him, giving a more exact account of 
the situation: 

Sir. — We are requested by the inhabitants of this vicinity to address you 
in their behalf, and to express the great satisfaction, your appointment to the 
office of Professor of Divinity for Dartmouth College has given them, and 
their sincere desire that you may accept it. Our situation, for many reasons, 
renders this appointment peculiarly interesting. Impressed with the impor- 
tance of religion, the people of this village, too few in numbers and without 
adequate means to form an independent religious society, have long united 
with the members of the Institution in religious worship; and habit has now 
rendered desirable, what seemed at first the result of necessity. Our ardent 
wishes for the continuance of the union, have always anticipated that the ap- 
pointment of a Professor of Divinity, would in effect, include that of a pastor 
for the people. These wishes as well as the peculiarity of our situation, dis- 
pose us to dispense with the ordinary and scrupulous forms of preliminary 
probation; and candidly confiding in the discernment of the Trustees, as well 
as the very respectable testimony, the general and public opinion bears to 
your character, to invite you, and we do it most cordially, tp accept your ap- 
pointment as Professor, and to become a pastor to this people. The inhabi- 
tants have been assembled on this occasion and we address you by their 
appointment. So little time has elapsed, since commencement, that we are 
yet unable to ascertain with certainty — what pecuniary contribution, the in- 
habitants may make you : their present feelings and disposition seem to promise 
as much as their ability. Our subscription paper, a copy of which, for your 
information we enclose, has already secured you the annual sum of $139; we 
hope in a short time to increase this sum to $200; yet it may not, for the 
present year, amount to so much. 

We are, with great respect, and cordial esteem, your obedient servants. 

Ben. J. Gilbert. 

W**. Woodward. 

Richard Lang. 

Jas. Wheelock. 

Mills Olcott. 

This communication, as it will be seen, did not rest upon any 
action of the church formally ending the pastorate of Professor 
Smith; an omission that gave opportunity for the future diffi- 
culty. Despite the vote of March 19 it was taken for granted by 
the signers of the letter that Professor Smith's pastorate was at 
an end from the nature of the case. As it was a part of the duty 
of the new professor of theology to preach to the students, and 
as the college preacher had always been the pastor of the church, 
the relation of Professor Smith and the church seemed naturally 
to have ended. Professor Smith had for several years desired to 
be relieved from his preaching, as he announced at the dedication 



20 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. IX. 

of the church building, and when during the summer after Mr. 
Shurtleff 's election two of the elders of the church asked Professor 
Smith to preach on the following Sunday he told them "that a 
Professor of Divinity was now appointed who would perform the 
service as he had done, and that consequently he considered him- 
self as released and under no obligation in that respect either to 
the College or the people." The church on its side, while appre- 
ciating the services of Professor Smith, was ready to receive a 
new pastor, and as the two parties in interest were agreed upon 
the fact Professor Smith did not think it necessary to resign a 
place which he considered no longer his, and the church did not 
vote to discontinue a relation which it believed had already closed. 

But President Wheelock did not agree with this simple settle- 
ment of the relations. In spite of his interview with Mr. Shurt- 
leff he seems not to have had full confidence as to his control of 
the new professor, especially if he should become pastor of the 
church. He was, therefore, not willing to see him come fully 
into that position, and he at once set to work to prevent such a 
result. His plan was to retain Professor Smith as the pastor of 
the church and to have Mr. Shurtleff brought in merely as his 
colleague. With this end in view he made use of the peculiar 
condition of the church. 

It will be remembered that the church as originally constituted 
embraced members both in Hanover and in Dothan, a district 
of Hartford, Vt. For many years the members in Vermont had 
had but a nominal interest in the church, being in fact so sepa- 
rate that they had built a house of worship for themselves and 
had actually issued a call to a Mr. Cabbot "to settle in the min- 
istry" among them.^ On the formation of the church in Hart- 
ford in 1786 it had been their intention to join that church, as 
being a more natural association, but President Wheelock had 
dissuaded them from so doing by assuring them that if they 
"would form a little society among themselves he would supply 
them with preaching at a cheap rate, by procuring the appoint- 
ment of such for Tutors who might also be preachers."^ The 
result of this arrangement was to give the President a strong 
influence if not the control in that portion of the church, and to 
lead him to object to an organization that made them independent 
of the Hanover connection. Though that connection was only 
formal, as the Dothan members had long ceased to contribute 

' True and Concise Narrative, p. 12. 
« Ibid, p. 67. 



1795-1814-] College Church and Controversy. 21 

toward the Hanover church, as well as to attend, yet as long as 
it continued President Wheelock was influencial in both parts of 
the church, in Hartford by the arrangement just mentioned and 
in Hanover by his hold upon Professor Smith. His influence 
with the Dothan members was now used to defeat the wishes of 
the members in Hanover, and also brought Professor Smith to 
change his view of his relation to the church and to hold that he 
was still its pastor. 

Mr. Shurtleff had accepted the offer of the professorship, but 
in the lack of a formal invitation had returned no definite reply 
to the suggestions of individuals that he should become pastor 
of the church, although he began to supply the pulpit in October. 
This invitation was delayed by the disagreement between those 
in the village who wished Mr. Shurtleff as pastor, and President 
Wheelock, who, with the Dothan members, wished him as a 
colleague of Professor Smith. But by December the matter 
could no longer be delayed and action was brought about by the 
following letter ■} 

To THE Reverend John Smith D. D. 

We the subscribers, members of the Church of Christ in the vicinity of Dart- 
mouth College, lately under your pastoral care, beg leave to request, that a 
meeting of s-J church maybe called, to be holden at the meeting house ins"" vicin- 
ity on Wednesday the 12th ins» at one o'clock P. M. for the purpose of seeing 
whether any and what measures sii church will see fit to adopt relative to the 
settlement and ordination of Mr. Roswell Shurtleff in and to the pastoral care 
of the same — and to consult and transact relative to any other matter pro- 
motive of the cause of our holy religion that may be thought proper at said 
meeting. 
Hanover Dec. 3d, 1804. 

In accordance with this request a meeting of the church was 
called for the 13th of the month, and "when this meeting was 
notified at Hartford by Professor Smith, he was particular to 
request a very general and punctual attendance — observing that 
business of great importance was to be transacted." At the 
meeting the Hanover members proposed the following address 
to be presented to Professor Smith : 

Sir. — As the time you have so long wished for at length has come, that you 
are released from a part of your too arduous labours, by the appointment of Mr. 
Shurtleff to the Professorship of Divinity at this College, and as we hope he 
will consent to undertake the ministerial office, and pastoral care of this church 
and congregation; it is with pleasure we embrace an opportunity, of manifesting 

1 The letter was signed by Benoni Dewey, Chester Ingols, Jas. Wheelock, Jabez Kellogg, 
Caleb Fuller, Elias Weld, Stephen Kimball, Jacob Ward, Samuel McClure, John Mansfield. 



22 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. IX. 

to you our congratulations at this pleasing event. And while we present you 
with our cordial and grateful thanks, for your ministerial services, and pastoral 
care of us, since your first undertaking in that relation; we cannot avoid an 
expression of our sense of the benevolent motives which have influenced you 
therein, and of the integrity and uprightness of your heart in the discharge of 
the important duties thereof. We hope still to be favored with your friendly 
advice and assistance, in the important object of settling one to succeed you 
in the pastoral care of this flock; and that particularly, when we are convened, 
to consult and act relative thereto, you may be present and preside as hereto- 
fore. 

The adoption of this skillfully worded address, called by its 
supporters "a token of friendly notice and respect", would 
have secured all that the Hanover members desired inasmuch as 
it recognized by implication that Professor Smith's relation as 
pastor had ended and asked him to preside at a conference to 
select his successor as a special favor and not as a right. At a 
meeting of the church the address was urged by all the members 
present living in the vicinity except President Wheelock and 
Professor Smith, and they with nine or ten members from Hart- 
ford, who for years had rarely attended a meeting, and whom 
they had persuaded to attend at this time, "strenuously opposed 
the adoption of the address, alleging that Professor Smith was 
still pastor of the church, and that it would be derogatory to him 
not to remain so, and insisting that he should so continue, and 
that Professor Shurtleff should be invited only as colleague to 
him." In opposition to the address and in support of his own 
plan President Wheelock attempted to bring in the authority of 
the Trustees by introducing a paper, obtained two months 
before, signed by three Trustees and one ex-Trustee. 

Whereas, the Board of Trustees of Dartmouth College have appointed Mr. 
Roswell Shurtleff to the office and work of Professor of Divinity in Dartmouth 
College, and our opinion being requested in regard to the ordination of Mr. 
Shurtleff and the manner thereof; we are fully and clearly of opinion, that it 
will be expedient, that Mr. Shurtleff be ordained colleague pastor with the 
Rev. Dr. Smith, over the church in said Dartmouth College, as has been cus- 
tomary in similar occasions, and peculiarly proper, under existing circumstances, 
and that he be ordained accordingly as soon as convenient. 

Eden Burroughs, 
David M'Clure, 
Joseph Bowman, 
Israel Evans. 
Dartmouth College, Oct. 12, 1804. 

The address was not adopted but in its place President Whee- 
lock and the Dothan members passed by a bare majority a vote 



1795-1814] College Church and Controversy. 23 

to appoint a committee of three to request Professor Shurtleff 
to be ordained as colleague with Professor Smith, with the 
understanding that Professor Smith was ordinarily to officiate 
in the parochial duties with the branch of the church in Hartford, 
and that Professor Shurtleff was ordinarily to officiate in the 
parochial duties with the branch in Hanover.^ 

1 The following humorous account of the meeting is preserved : 

And it came to pass in the reign of Johannes Maximus, in the fifth month of the twenty fifth 
year of his reign, that Johannes Minimus a Levite (the same that in his journey through the 
wilderness was met by a great she-bear, howbeit meddled not with this holy man) [see Vol. I, 
p. 230] after devising with his master, the ruler of the children of obedience, called the people 
together to lay down his Robes, and put them upon his successor, a man chosen by the people. 
Now there was a division among the people, some saying this must not be, for our sacred body 
will come to naught, if we transfer our government from an Elder to a Beardless youth, so Jo- 
hannes Maximus sent messengers to the half tribe on the other side of Jordan, and to Eleazer 
the reprobate son of a Levite, saying prepare yourselves for the battle and come over this side 
the Jordan to defend mine annointed against the mocking of the heathen and the raging of the 
undevout. So Hezekiah the ruler of the half tribe on the other side of the Jordan spread a 
report throughout his border, commanding all his chosen men from Dothan to Jericho to gather 
themselves together, and to go by tens and by fifties over the other side of the river, and there 
fit themselves for battle under the wise man of the East, to fight against the heathen and the 
undevout of the Jews. 

And it came to pass that the whole tribe on both sides of Jordan gathered themselves together 
on the appointed day, and followed their leader into the Synagogue, when Benoni, one of the 
Elders, left for the cold which sorely grieved him, and all the people followed him. So every- 
man ran to his post in the House of Benoni. And it came to pass, when all the people had set 
themselves down that Johannes Maximus arose and cried in a loud voice saying. Men and 
Brethren why strive ye to displace mine annointed and set at naught my faithful servant, who 
like the true Shepherd, hath preserved his flock from the beasts of the wilderness; and whose 
holy zeal in my cause hath availed much, and caused great outpourings of the spirit upon our 
land. — Wherefore dare ye provoke mine anger in refusing obedience to my servant and in tramp- 
ling upon the authority of my Hoary Head. And it came to pass that when Johannes Maxi- 
mus had made an end of speaking, that Jabez the Kelloggite arose and said "Masters, what 
great outpourings of the Spirit hath our age and Nation witnessed? Doth it consist in the mul- 
tiplied numbers of our flocks or in the peaceable lives led by our sheep?" And the saying aston- 
ished the people, and it came to pass after much vain wrangling (which is not recorded in this 
Book of the cunning arts and wicked devices used by Johannes Maximus to protect Johannes 
Minimus from the revilings of the people) that James the brother of John arose and said, "Why 
dispute ye about that which cannot profit. Honor is not seemly for a fool; therefore let us 
depose Johannes Minimus and cast him out from the Sanctuary of our Synagogue?" And this 
speech exceedingly displeased Johannes Maximus and his servant Johannes Minimus, insomuch 
that they weeped and gnashed their teeth. 

Now Johannes Minimus was the simplest of all beings insomuch that he could do nothing 
out of the sight of his Master for his exceeding simplicity. And it came to pass that Johannes 
Maximus being sorely vexed for the mocking thrown upon his servant, jumped up, 
and cried aloud from his pious indignation: "Why strive ye to render base in the eyes of the 
people the gray hairs of this my venerable high priest, whom my soul tenderly loveth? Cease 
ye from your wicked endeavors, and suffer my servant to manage the Ark of the covenant, upon 
the old Ark. And let this teacher of our young men be annointed under him, and be instructed 
in the path of his duty until he shall have waxed strong in the ways of well doing." And the 
saying pleased some of them well, and Johannes Minimus and Eleazer the profligate child of 
reprobation and the half tribe on the other side of Jordan, who had been corrupted by the cun- 
ning tricks of Johannes Maximus all leaped for Joy, and cried, "Amen, so let it be as our Master 
hath spoken." And many of the Elders and the devout not a few went away sorely displeased 
saying, "these things will now come to naught for surely they are the works of the adversary." 
Now Johannes Maximus and his man servant Johannes Minimus were mightily tickled with the 
little tricks they had played upon the nation in bringing in an outlandish people [to] disinherit 
them of their Birth Right. 



24 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap, ix* 

This result was utterly distasteful to the Hanover members 
since it left Professor Smith as the pastor of the whole church 
though assigning his chief duties to the Hartford branch. They 
did not wish Professor Smith as their pastor under any condition 
and they did wish Professor ShurtlefT as their sole pastor. Ac- 
cordingly on the next day they sent to the members living in 
Hartford a letter, supported by the signatures of twenty-two 
inhabitants in the vic^inity of the College, admitting that the 
Hartford members were in the majority and could carry any 
vote they wished, but stating that if the Hartford members 
wished Professor Smith as their pastor they would gladly join 
with them in asking him to remain so, but on their part Professor 
Shurtleff was the man of their choice and they wished him "un- 
shackled and unconnected with any other pastor" as related to 
them and that part of the church.^ They expected to contribute 
without assistance to the support of Professor Shurtleff, and 
since the Hartford members had heretofore so far manifested 
their independence of the Hanover church as to call a minister 
to settle with them, the Hanover members merely asked a like 
privilege, and begged that the Hartford members would not 
persist in a course that would tend to disunite the church. 

The committee appointed consisted of two members of the 
Hanover branch, Elias Weld and Chester Ingols, and one from 
Hartford, Hezekiah Hazen. The Hanover members appear not 
to have acted, but at a meeting held December 27 Hezekiah Hazen 
reported that "Professor Shurtleff was not ready to give his 
answer to the vote passed at the last meeting" and in view of the 
unanimous opposition of those on the east side of the river, except 
President Wheelock and Professor Smith, an adjourned meeting 
of the church was held on the 6th of January, 1805, at which the 
former vote was rescinded and another passed asking Professor 
Shurtleff to be ordained at large and to become a colleague of 
Professor Smith, but with a change of phrase directing that in 
case of the acceptance of Professor Shurtleff, each should "take 
particular pastoral care" of the branch to which he was assigned, 
and further adding that the two should "act as joint pastors in 
all matters which may require the attention of the whole church." 

' The signers of this letter were the same as of the letter on page 29 except that Epaphraa 
Merrill appears in place of Elias Weld who died May 9. 1805. The signers from the village were 
Ben. J. Gilbert, Eben' Knowlton, Jesse Higgins, Jacob Kimball. Cady Simons, James Little, 
Uriel Bascom, Aaron Wright, Josiah Green, John S. Green, Elijah Tenney, Abr" Dunklee, 
Timothy Farrar, Eben. Brewster, Aaron Kinsman, Richard Lang, Eben' Woodward, Samuel 
Alden, Moses Davis, J. Bush, Increase Kimball, W" Dewey, Jr. 



1795-1814-] College Church and Controversy. 25 

It was added that "nothing is intended by this vote which shall 
ever be construed, or considered as opening the way to any future 
division or separation of said church, so as to make two distinct 
churches, which is to be viewed as one . . . and which it 
is hoped will long continue such, and on the Presbyterian plan of 
government, the advantages of which by the goodness of God have 
been so long experienced and realized." This addition was the 
response to the suggested division of the church coming from the 
defiance of the wishes of nearly half of the church, and the refer- 
ence to the Presbyterian form of government was an attempt to 
forestall the action of a new church, should a division occur, that 
might leave the moribund Grafton Presbytery and join the large 
circle of Congregational churches that had sprung up in the vicin- 
ity. 

But the change from the first vote found no more favor with 
the minority, and at a third meeting, held on the i8th of the 
month, the majority modified their previous action by adding 
that if Professor Shurtleff should consent to take particular pas- 
toral care of the Hanover branch "it is intended and meant that 
the two pastors ... be considered as perfectly equal in 
office and in all their administrations." This vote, however, was 
no more acceptable than the former. The meetings were stormy 
and attended with much feeling. The Hanover members were 
indignant at the attempt to influence the church by the paper 
signed by the Trustees and introduced by President Wheelock, 
and also at an attempt to secure a vote declaring the newly elected 
Professor Hubbard a member of the church. He had joined the 
church when he was a student, but had taken up his connection 
when he left Hanover. At that time he not only had no letter 
of recommendation but had not requested membership in the 
church. At a later time he brought his connection there and be- 
came a supporter of President Wheelock. When the several 
votes were taken the Hanover members, with the purpose of 
showing that the support of Professor Smith came almost wholly 
from the west side of the river, demanded the ayes and noes 
and that the names of the voters be recorded, but their demand 
was refused by the majority. Most of all they were indignant 
at the proposition that those who were dissatisfied with the doings 
of the majority should take dismissions from the church. Such a 
course would not only have left them without church connection 
but would have shut them out of the building which they had 
built and largely paid for as a place of worship for themselves^ 



26 History of Darhnonth College. [Chap, ix, 

and would have left it to the use of a body living in another state 
and having a church building of its own, and to the College whose 
representative was the one who was chiefly responsible for their 
alienation. Not content with contesting these measures at the 
meetings they sent on the I2th of February a letter ^ remonstra- 
ting anew against them, and cogently refuting the one Dosition 
taken by the Hartford members, viz., "that Dr. Smith has long 
served us as pastor, and that for another to take the pastoral 
office in this church, but as colleague or joint pastor with him, 
would be casting him out, treating him with indignity, and 
robbing him of that honor to which he is entitled," by maintain- 
ing that Professor Smith's usefulness was at an end in a place 
in which he was not wanted, and that to force him upon an un- 
willing people was a far greater dishonor to him than to allow 
him to withdraw. The purpose of establishing Professor Smith 
as pastor, "uncalled, as we think of God, and certainly unwished 
for by us," was described as "vain, sinister and irreligious." 
The letter further protested against the measures which had been 
pursued to promote the establishment of Professor Smith, es- 
pecially the procuring of the certificate of the Trustees, who were 
without knowledge, "excepting what they got from an individual 
who procured the same, and who probably stated matters ac- 
cording to his own wishes," and the attempt to declare Professor 
Hubbard a member of the church when he had brought no letter, 
and also the refusal to take and record the ayes and noes on the 
question of Professor Smith's retention, lest the fact should ap- 
pear that his supporters were almost wholly from the west side 
of the river. 

As this remonstrance had no effect and as there was no pros- 
pect of a settlement of the controversy except by a division into 
two churches, the same signers on the 27th of the month wrote 
Professor Smith asking that a meeting be held to call a council 
to advise what measures would be best. The meeting was held 
March 8, but the proposition for a council was not accepted, 
the m.ajority saying that they knew of nothing to submit to a 
council "unless it be whether the church shall continue in exist- 
ence or not," but they added that should the "brethren remain 
dissatisfied, and not be content to walk with the church in chris- 
tian love, we do not desire to embarrass their progress, or lay any 
obstacle in the way of what they may suppose their duty; and 

' Signed by Benoni Dewey, Caleb Fuller, Jas. Wheelock, Saml. McClure, Chester Ingols, 
Jabez Kellogg, Stephen Kimball, John Mansfield and Jacob Ward. Ms. in possession of author. 



1 795-1 8 1 4-] College Church and Controversy. 27 

therefore, if they should ultimately conclude that it will be best 
for them to leave our body, we shall consent and acquiesce, 
praying that the grace of God may abound to each of them. But 
as it appears that there is a difficulty between them and some of 
our brethren of our body, and the latter think themselves ag- 
grieved by some expressions contained in a letter of the 12th of last 
month, from the former to them, it is our prayer that this wound 
may be healed, and though we do not pretend now to determine 
whether there is or is not ground of uneasiness, yet it seems that a 
difference subsists, and it is becoming that it should be settled 
on the principles of the gospel, that the professing followers of 
Christ may live and act in friendship and love, whether they be 
members of the same or of different churches." 

A little later in a letter addressed to the ministers who were 
asked to organize the new church in Hanover, they declared that 
they did not intend this as a consent for any to withdraw from 
the church, and that they "had not the least conception that the 
brethren would, or could, regularly leave our body until they had 
settled the matter of grievance with the other members alluded 
to in that vote, in a regular gospel way. . . . Nor had the 
church in that vote, the least conception that on the relation of 
the said brethren being removed, they thereby had a right to be 
organized into a new church, in this place, so as to directly inter- 
fere with, and encroach on the rights and privileges of the church 
at Dartmouth College." ^ 

The Hanover members, however, determined to ask advice 
and notified the Hartford members that they had called an ex 
parte council to meet in Hanover on the 17th of April, and further 
said; "As some of you have suggested that in our late address, of 
February last, we had made representations unbecoming chris- 
tian brethren, we would now propose to you, if you are dis- 
satisfied with anything contained in said address or remonstrance 
or at any other part of our conduct or proceedings towards 
you, . . . that we are heartily willing to answer before this 
reverend and respectable council to anything you may be pleased 
to allege, provided you will furnish us a copy of such allegations 
a short, reasonable time, say a day or two, previous to the sitting 
of said council." 

J An Answer to the "Vindication of the Official Conduct of the Trustees of Dartmouth Col- 
lege," in confirmation of the "Sketches": with remarks on the Removal of President Wheelock. 
By Josiah Dunham, Hanover: Printed by David Watson, January, 1816, p. 26. 



28 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. ix. 

The council met as desired ^ at the house of Benoni Dewey, and 
after a pubHc hearing in the church at which President Wheelock 
and members from Hartford appeared and urged their objections 
to a division of the church, adjourned to the house of Aaron 
Kinsman, where they reached the following conclusion: 

We do not find that any special relation has ever been formed between this 
church and any preacher of the gospel, as their pastor, by any particular charge 
from an ecclesiastical council, as is usual in such cases. And whereas it ap- 
pears that the two branches of this church have in times past found it most 
convenient to be united, yet, circumstances having changed, there now being 
a meeting house on each side of the river, in both which public worship is con- 
stantly attended — and whereas certain difficulties having arisen, between the 
two branches, which they have been unable to settle, it becomes a question, 
whether the interest of religion does not require, that the members of the branch 
on the east side of the river should be formed into a distinct church ? This coun- 
cil having carefully weighed every circumstance suggested to their minds, re- 
specting this question, give it as their opinion that such a measure is expedient 
and necessary. Further — with respect to the remonstrance which the brethren 
on this side of the river exhibited to thechurch, we areof opinion that it contains 
certain expressions which do not sufficiently savour of christian charity, and 
therefore ought to be disapproved by the remonstrants previous to their being 
organized. This being done, we see nothing in the way of their being formed 
into a church state, since the body have expressed their consent, as appears 
from a certain clause in a vote passed by them on the 8th of March last. . . . 

Furthermore we conceive that the organization of a new church in this place 
will not in the least, affect the existence of the church originally formed here 
by the late Reverend Dr. Wheelock. 

When the result was announced a statement was written on 
the back of the paper containing it and signed by all who had 
joined in the remonstrance to the effect, that "the council having 
pointed out those expressions in the remonstrance as exception- 
able, the brethren do freely and unanimously disapprove of them 
as not being sufficiently savoury of christian charity." * 

The way was now open for the formation of a new church, but 
following the verbal advice of the council the Hanover members 
waited to sec if the Vermont members might not be willing to 
form themselves into a new church and leave those on the east 
side of the river as the church originally founded in the place. 
The Hartford members in private conference expressed themselves 
as entirely willing to do so, but significantly added that "they 
could not bind the Sampson with cords and deliver him over." 

• It consisted of the Rev. Isaiah Potter of Lebanon, Moderator, Nathaniel Lambert of New- 
bury, Scribe. Asa Burton of Thetford, Elijah Lyman of Brookfield, Sylvester Dana of Orford, 
Tilton Eastman of Randolph. 

' The Hartford members said that they were not notified of this fact tUl a lone time after. 



1795-1814.] College Church and Controversy. 29 

Accordingly on the 1st of May a letter was addressed ^ to Presi- 
dent Wheelock pointing out the fact that the decision of the con- 
troversy rested solely with him, and urging him to remain with 
the Hanover members and allow the others to organize the new 
church, and making these inquiries: 

"In case," said the writers, "the brethren on the other side 
remain of the church at Dartmouth College: as they will con- 
stitute the whole church, yourself and one or two others only 
excepted, and as divine worship, and the administration of the 
ordinances will probably be very generally there, will it not with 
propriety be considered that said church in reality is transplanted 
to Hartford, and of course that nothing of it here remains but 
the name?" If President Wheelock should continue with the 
west church, asked they, would not his attendance there at church 
be a great inconvenience? Or, if the church there should at 
times come to Hanover for service, would it not seem to be for 
the sake of the name only? Or, if they should settle a pastor 
there, "will he be ordained as pastor of the church at Dartmouth 
College? If not, in that case, and there not being enough on this 
side to constitute a church, will not even the name of that 
church become extinct?" 

No reply was made to this letter but in place of it there was a 
declaration from the Hartford members, ^ dated May 10: 

Whereas, it may have been supposed, that we, the subscribers, would be 
willing to take our dismission from the church of Christ at Dartmouth College, 
we do hereby declare that, as we have always been happy, in our connection, 
as members of said church, in which we have reason to believe we have experi- 
enced favors of Divine Providence, we esteem it our incumbent duty, to remain 
in future attached to the same, and to promote its spiritual interest: and we 
should exceedingly regret, and esteem ourselves deprived of our essential 
privileges were any cause to arise, which should by any means effect our sepa- 
ration. 

This declaration drafted by President Wheelock, as indicated 
by his handwriting, artfully changed the proposition that the 
Hartford members should be organized into a new church to a 
proposition that they should take their dismission from the 
existing church. It was exactly what they had formerly proposed 

' Signed by Elias Weld, Benoni Dewey. Huphrey Farrar, Chester Ingols, Jabez Kellogg, 
Jacob Ward, Caleb Fuller, Samuel McClure, Jas. Wheelock, Stephen Kimball, John Mansfield, 
Ms. in possession of the author. 

* Samuel Button, John Button, Hez. Hazen, Reuben Hazen, David Newton, Seth Savage, 
Seth Fuller, Solomon Hazen, Philemon Hazen. Harvey Gibbs, Friend Ingraham, Joel Richards, 
Asahel Button, Asa Hazen, Gershom Dunham. Thomas Button. Ms. in possession of the 
author. 



30 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. ix. 

to the Hanover members, but it was no more acceptable when 
made to them now than it had been then when they made it to 
others. If President Wheelock had been willing to keep his 
connection in Hanover and to allow the Hartford members to 
organize by themselves they would have been glad to do so, but 
those who had expressed their willingness to form an independent 
church naturally refused the proposition presented by President 
Wheelock to take dismissions from the old church. 

It was evident that the " Sampson " could not be bound, and 
the Hanover members prepared to follow the advice of the council 
and to form a new church. But they were not to do so without 
opposition, and the feelings of the two sides are shown by the 
correspondence that followed. 

To our brethren in the vicinity of Dartmouth College, 
Dear Brethren: 
We entreat you to consider the wrong you do us, in your attempt to sever us 
from the church of Dartmouth College, or deprive us of those privileges, which 
with equal right we might enjoy without any injury to you. To effect this 
purpose, the instruments you have used, those of us that feel them, esteem them 
to be instruments of cruelty. — Instead of rendering honor to whom it was due, 
we have seen with grief, conspicuous characters treated with language that was 
sufficiently savoury of contempt — of groundless allegations of an immoral 
nature. This question must necessarily affect the feeling and characters of 
the officers of College — as all their public measures are inspected by the most 
discerning men — It is evident that Judge Hubbard had an interest in this 
matter, both as an officer of College, a professor of religion, and the expectation 
of being a member of our body the remainder of his life — an attempt to admit 
his influence you have called criminal. What are the principles you have 
adopted for yourselves? You have said inhabitants are interested. The 
unthoughtful and those unconnected with the church, have been drawn in to 
bear their weight and influence in this important question — your remonstrance 
we think teems with allegations, of immorality and reproach; you have treated 
us with language not only calculated to wound our feelings, but grating to our 
ears, and we conceive contrary to gospel rules. The opinions of men cannot 
absolve you, nor can the result of an ex parte council be called a settlement, 
and should you leave us without making that satisfaction which the gospel 
requires, we fear that Heaven would frown upon you. We entreat you to 
consider your conduct above mentioned, and we sincerely pray, that you 
might be brought to repentance. Finally, brethren, when we reflect on the 
importance of the church to Dartmouth College, its venerable founder, the 
care of Heaven over it, the repeated instances in which the spirit of God has 
been poured upon it in copious effusions — how do we feel ourselves justified in 
our want of confidence to resign it into your hands, since you have attacked 
its constitution, and as you inform us you are about to forsake it; but how 
can you leave in a manner so irregular? But we earnestly hope. Heaven may 



1 795-1814] College Church and Controversy. 31 

open your eyes to see your error, as it is our earnest desire to restore you in 
the spirit of meekness. 

Hezekiah Hazen. 
In behalf of the brethren at Hartford, to be communicated. 
Hartford, May 21st, 1805. 

In reply the Hanover members admitted that if the allegations 
of this letter were true "repentance and gospel satisfaction there- 
for would most highly become" them, but as these allegations, 
as they believed, rested on a misunderstanding, of which it was 
not suitable that either side should be the judge, they proposed 
to submit "any and every thing to the hearing and determination 
of an impartial, respectable and mutually chosen ecclesiastical 
council." This proposition was not acceptable to the Hartford 
members, who asserting that the church had "the full power and 
right of judging and determining between any of its members for 
any conduct contrary to the gospel," were willing only "to hear 
the advice of any impartial and judicious persons respecting the 
matters of grievance," but they appointed Hezekiah Hazen, 
Eleazar Wheelock and Solomon Hazen a committee to confer 
with the other side. The conference which followed only accentu- 
ated the difference between the parties, as one side wished to 
refer everything to the decision of a council, the other only wished 
to obtain advice, reserving to itself as the majority the ultimate 
decision of all matters, and on its failure the Hanover members, 
on the 19th of June, made the last proposal to submit for hearing 
and determination all matters of dissension and grievance to 
"any seven judicious, respectable and impartial clergymen, living 
within a radius of fifty miles, " whom the other side might choose. 
The reply to this was a prompt and emphatic negative. 

Dear Brethren: 

In compliance with your request of the 23rd of May last, being desirous to 
remove every obstacle which stood in the way of, or had a tendency to prevent 
the most friendly and harmonious intercourse with you, becoming christians: 
Induced by these motives, we appointed a committee, vested with powers, to 
confer with you, and also to agree with you, in calling the aid of men of wisdom 
and knowledge to give their opinion respecting any matter called a breach of a 
moral precept, or bar of charity; hoping by their means we might be brought to 
see eye to eye, and become bound in the strongest bonds of love, like the true 
followers of the Lamb. In the plan you have proposed to us in your letter of 
the 19th instant, of submitting all matters indefinitely that may be called 
"matters of dissension and grievance," it is not reasonable for you to ask, nor 
us to grant. We view ourselves possessed of certain natural and unalienable 
rights, sacred to us, the exercise of which you have said is a great grief and 
burden to you. It would be a profane thing in us to resign them into the hands 



32 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. IX. 

of imperfect, mutable men, or voluntarily to submit them to the least danger 
or hazard: but they should be preserved inviolable. As the order of society 
cannot be preserved without this independent right of human creatures — we 
flatter ourselves, brethren, that on reflection, your own reason will point out to 
you the great impropriety of making this request. . . . 

Unanimously voted Samuel Dutton. 

in behalf of said brethren 
June 22, 1805. 

Further correspondence could effect nothing and the Han- 
over party replied on the 27th only to state their regret that no 
accommodation could be reached and to notify the Hartford 
members that they had asked a council to meet at Hanover to 
organize them into a church. The council, consisting of the 
Rev. Isaiah Potter of Lebanon, Asa Burton, D.D., of Thetford 
and Rev. Sylvester Dana of Orford, met as requested on the 2d 
of July, and the church was duly organized. It consisted of 
twenty-two members, all from the east side of the river.^ On 
the same side twelve persons. President Wheelock, Professor 
Smith, Eleazar Wheelock and nine women, and on the west side 
thirty-five adhered to the old church. On August 21, 1805, 
the "Congregation in the vicinity of Dartmouth College" voted 
unanimously "that Mr. Professor Shurtleff be requested to 
receive ordination and to continue his labors as a Minister of the 
Gospel to the congregation in this place, so far as may be con- 
sistent, and not interfere with his duties as Professor of Divin- 
ity for Dartmouth College." 

If the new church felt that its difficulties were removed by 
organization it was soon to find that such was not the case. The 
situation was peculiar. The church was small, though the 
majority of the community was in sympathy with it. Through 
the ownership of its members and that of its sympathizers in 
the village it retained possession of the meeting house, though 
the old church, having also a partial ownership in the house, had 
the use of it when necessary, and for several years the two churches 
worshipped in the same house, accommodating their times of 
worship to one another without either one attempting to dis- 
possess the other, but not uniting in the ordinances. The new 
church had no pastor and its preacher was a professor in the 
College, on whose good will it was dependent for his services. 

» Caleb Fuller, Benoni Dewey, Mrs. Sabra Dewey, James Wheelock, Mrs. Abigail Wheelock, 
Stephen Kimball, Mrs. Elizabeth Kimball, Samuel McClure, Chester Ingalls, Mrs. Sylva 
Ingalls, Jabez Kellogg, Humphrey Farrar, Epaphras Merrill, John Mansfield, Jacob Ward, 
Mrs. Sarah Lang, Mrs. Abigail Alden, Mrs. Amelia Bissell, Lucy Farrar, Susanna Bascom, Jane 
Green, Peggy Dowe, "a colored woman," eleven men and eleven women. 



I795-I8I4-] College Church and Controversy. 33 

As he was by appointment the preacher to the students and they 
attended his preaching, the new church, if he was allowed to 
accept its invitation, became thereby in fact the College church. 
The President of the College was the leader of the opposition 
and determined not to yield a point. His first move was an 
attempt to deprive the new church of all outside aid by prevent- 
ing Mr. Shurtleff from becoming its preacher and by withdrawing 
the students from it. Having failed in his attempt to establish 
Professor Shurtleff as a colleague to Professor Smith, and later in 
his opposition to the formation of a new church with Professor 
Shurtleff as its sole preacher, he now sought to bring the Trustees 
of the College into the controversy by enlisting them in his 
behalf. 

At their meeting on the 31st of August, 1805, he laid in this 
petition : 

To the Honorable Board of Trustees of Dartmouth College, the Executive 
Officers of said college respectfully represent. 
That there are certain difficulties subsisting, which they hope may be re- 
moved; but which, as they have reason to fear, may possibly in their operation, 
render it necessary for them to attend worship, on the sabbath, in some place 
distinct from the meeting house in this place. Such an event, were it ever to 
happen, the undersigners will greatly deprecate, and nothing short of the 
impossibility of enjoying, any other way, their natural and religious rights, 
can lead them to the same; and which they shall be ready fully to prove to the 
public on any proper occasion. Should they, however, to this end eventually 
find it expedient, they desire the approbation of your honorable Board in favor 
of the measure, and they persuade themselves that your goodness will be 
induced to grant the same, from motives of humanity, science, religion, and 
the prosperity of this institution. Should such an event in future arise, not- 
withstanding every possible measure to prevent it, the undersigners conceive 
that it will become their duty, and that they shall have a right to meet on the 
sabbath at the Chapel, and that the Professor of Theology preach in that 
place, and they consider that they have a just claim to your protection for the 
measure, and they very respectfully desire and expect your sanction of the 
same. 

John Wheelock, President, 

John Smith, Professor of Latin and Greek, 

Hebrew and other Oriental Languages, 
John Hubbard, Professor of Math, and Nat. 
Philosophy. 
Dartmouth College, Aug. 31, 1805. 

N.B. We have full reason to believe that the professor of Medicine is full 
in opinion with us, concerning the above, though he is now absent. 

On the same day an address in opposition to this petition was 
sent to the Trustees signed by ten male members of the new 



34 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. ix. 

church and thirty-two other inhabitants of the village and its 
vicinity. It recited the satisfaction which they had always felt 
at the association of the College and the village in the church, 
and lately at the coming of Professor Shurtleff, whose salary they 
had considerably increased by their subscriptions, and suggested 
that should he be now withdrawn from the meeting house to the 
chapel, which was too small to accommodate both the people 
and the students, there was danger that the people would not 
pay their subscriptions, and in the lack of this help and the les- 
sened opportunities of doing good he might be unwilling to hold 
his office in the College which would then lose him as a professor. 
It further suggested that as the church could not support a 
pastor by itself the withdrawal of Professor Shurtleff would 
probably lead to the break-up of the church, which, in view of the 
past association of the college and the village, would be bad for 
both parties. 

Notwithstanding the fact that the majority of the Board were 
strong supporters of the President they hesitated to take part 
in a controversy in which they had no jurisdiction. They could 
not, however, pass without notice a petition coming from the 
President and other college officers and they, therefore, requested 
the petitioners "to specify the several matters of complaint 
intended to be included in the general representation," which 
they had officially made and presented to the Board. In com- 
pliance with this request the petitioners presented the following 
specifications: 

1st. Individuals belonging to the Religious Society in this place, have 
treated the President with great disrespect and contumely, by saying, in sub- 
stance, that they, said individuals, would reduce the power of the President, 
and would oblige him to conform and yield to them. 

2ndly. That the Rev. Professor of Languages has been treated with unkind- 
ness and disrespect, by certain Christian brethren in this place, in this: The 
Reverend Professor, by invitation of the Church at Dartmouth College, acted 
as their pastor nearly twenty one years; and before he had declined acting 
longer in that, or they had desired him to decline, they addressed and styled 
him their late Pastor, and requested him to act as moderator of the church as 
a matter of civility under the idea that his pastoral relation had ceased. 

3rdly. That certain members of the church at Dartmouth College, and 
others not belonging to said church, did in a certain memorial indirectly charge 
the President with a violation of the truth. 

4thly. That certain members of the said church have in our opinion taken 
improper measures, and seceded from the church in an irregular and improper 
manner. 

5thly. That in consequence of the foregoing reasons, our feelings are such, 
that we cannot commune as Christians with the said seceding brethren, neither 



1795-1814.] College Church and Controversy. 35 

can we with comfort be present at the administration of the ordinances to the 
seceding members, and neither can we with edification and comfort, hear the 
preaching of those Clergymen who have assisted or deliberately countenanced 
the secession of said members. 

6thly. That measures which respect the society in this place, have been 
pursued without a proper regard and respect to the officers of College, who, in 
their character as officers, as well as individuals, had an interest in the matters 
so transacted ; and the Executive of College have in many instances, respecting 
concerns of that nature, been apparently treated with designed neglect. 

We request liberty of making further specifications, if such should occur to 
us, as this specification has been of necessity made in haste. 

[Signed as before.] 
Dabtmouth College, Sept. 2, 1805. 

The petition and the specifications, which the Trustees later, 
in their Vindication, justly described as "trifling and contempti- 
ble," were referred to a committee, consisting of IMessrs. Thomp- 
son, Jacob and Freeman, which on the same day recommended 
that "the Executive be earnestly requested to make every exer- 
tion consistent with the honor of the College and the spirit of 
Christianity to remove the existing difficulties, " and if they could 
not do this of themselves to call to their aid a mutual ecclesiasti- 
cal council. In accordance with the expressed desire of the 
Executive that they might be "removed as far as possible from 
the necessity of deciding upon the measures to be adopted," 
the committee further recommended that a committee of five 
be appointed to attend to the specifications or any further ones 
that might be made, and to work with the Executive for the 
restoration of harmony, and if this could not be secured to request 
the President to call a meeting of the whole Board, to which a 
statement of facts should be made together with suggestions for 
action. 

These recommendations were adopted and President Wheelock 
and Messrs. Farrar, Freeman, Burroughs and Jacob were appointed 
the committee. The last three were warm friends of the Presi- 
dent, but from the fact that no authority was given the com- 
mittee except to ascertain facts and to call a meeting of the 
Board if necessary, it is evident that the Board had no mind to 
enter into the controversy except with its eyes open, and that it 
was willing to be called together before the annual meeting is 
proof that it regarded the situation as a serious one. It's hesi- 
tancy to act was the more marked since two of its members, the 
President and Professor Smith, were among the petitioners. 
While they were not willing, however, to follow the lead of the 



36 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. IX. 

President blindly and to remove Professor Shurtleff from the 
church to the chapel they did pass two votes at this meeting, 
which were clearly inspired by the President, and had a bearing 
on the controversy not favorable to the new church. The first 
was a complimentary vote to Professor Smith: 

Voted, that the Rev. Dr. John Smith, having retired, at his own request* 
from the labour of preaching to the members of the College, and having for 
nearly twenty one years, ministered to the people, in this vicinity, and during 
all that time, walked in exemplary godliness and honesty, and proved himself 
to be a faithful and useful preacher and pastor — we deem it our duty to express 
an entire approbation of his past services, our grateful acknowledgments 
therefor, and fervent prayers for his happiness. 

The intention of this vote was to give to Professor Smith the 
endorsement of the Board, and it was very skillfully worded to 
confuse two things. Professor Smith had retired of his own will 
from preaching to the College, but he was firmly holding onto 
his pastorate in the church. This does not appear in the vote, 
and the "entire approbation of his past services" is made to 
cover his relations to both College and church. 

The other vote related to Professor Shurtlefif: 

Voted, that the Professor of Divinity be requested not to accept of ordina- 
tion until the next session of this Board, or until he be notified by the President 
of the College, that the existing difficulties, which have occasioned the above 
mentioned executive representation, are removed. 

The object for which President Wheelock was striving was to 
deprive the new church of its minister, and by this vote he seemed 
partially to gain it. He did not secure the removal of Professor 
Shurtleff from the meeting house to the chapel, but if Professor 
ShurtlefT did not receive ordination, though he might continue 
to preach to the new church, he could not become its pastor 
or administer to it the ordinances. The church would, there- 
fore, be dependent for the administration of the ordinances 
upon exchanges which Professor Shurtleff might make, and 
that there might be no exchanges by which ministers might be 
secured to administer the ordinances President Wheelock was 
trying to bring about. He with Professors Smith and Hubbard 
had already approached Professor Shurtleff^ and told him that 
they thought that he ought not to exchange with any minister 
who would administer the ordinances to the new church, al- 
though at that time the President distinctly disclaimed the right 

» Ms. memorandum by Professor ShurUefif of conversation July 13. 1805. 



1795-1814] College Church and Controversy. 37 

to determine with whom he might exchange, basing his objection 
solely on his conscientious scruples against communing with 
the new church under any minister. A little later a member 
of the Board asked Professor Shurtleff to make out a list of 
those with whom he would like to exchange and to submit it 
to the President.^ This he did, putting into the list the names 
of all the clergymen within forty or fifty miles, and requested 
the President to mark those to whom he objected. The President 
made no objection to any for ordinary exchanges, though he 
preferred that Professor Shurtlefif should not exchange with 
the three ministers who organized the church unless it was neces- 
sary, but he indicated those by whom only he was willing to 
have the ordinances administered. In this list he put the names 
of his particular friends, who, as the church believed, he thought 
would refuse to perform that service, but no clergyman who 
was asked refused, and the church was never at a loss for ad- 
ministrators. 

The vote of the Trustees had earnestly requested the Execu- 
tive to use all means to harmonize the conflicting parties. In 
accordance with that vote the Executive officers, henceforth 
identifying themselves with the old church, assuming responsi- 
bility for all its communications, except as an occasional vote 
gave formality to their opinions, and making the controversy 
a personal one between themselves and the new church, sent as the 
first effort for peace the following letter: 

Hanover, 25th Oct'. 1805. 
To Deacon Benoni Dewey and others residing in the vicinity of Dartmouth 
College, who have gone out from the church at said College. 
Sirs, — We the undersigners would express our grief, as well as other members 
of said church, on account of the uncandid and unchristian reflections (as we 
esteem them), in the remonstrance, signed by you to the brethren of said 
church who live in Hartford; which remonstrance is dated 12th Feb«. 1805. 

1. In representing the pastor of the aforesaid church as unjustifiably en- 
deavoring to retain his pastoral relation to the exclusion of another, and in 
treating him (the said pastor) with language involving contempt. 

2. By representing the brethren of said church who live in Hartford, as 
acting a sinister part in combining with the pastor, in using such endeavors; 
and by implying that the said brethren would sacrifice the cause of religion 
to subserve their corrupt purposes. 

3. In charging President Wheelock (by implication) with falsehood, in 
saying at our first church meeting in Dec. last, that Professor Hubbard desired 
to be received as a member of said church. And we cannot but consider the 

1 True and Concise Narrative, p. s8. 



38 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. ix. 

general tenor of your said remonstrance as containing unchristian asperity, 
and as too destitute of that benevolence which the gospel recommends. 

We would also express our grief, that you have gone out from the church 
at Dartmouth College, without making satisfaction for these unchristian 
reflections, and without asking the consent of the church, which we conceive 
was in violation of the solemn covenant to which you had consented : in which 
you promised to "submit yourselves to the government of Christ in his church, 
and to the regular administration of it in this place; and that you would in 
brotherly love seek the peace and welfare of this church, so long as God should 
continue you here." 

It is our sincere desire, that you would suitably attend to the foregoing 
matters of grievance, and be disposed in a Christian manner to condemn 
whatever may appear in the same as contrary to the rule of the gospel. We 
shall endeavor to communicate with you more fully in conversation, whenever 
it shall be agreeable to you. Happy should we be. were the way opened for 
the restoration of Christian friendship and confidence: and we feel a disposi- 
tion, and, as we suppose, all the brethren of the church do, to adopt any meas- 
ure to effect so desirable an end, which may comport with the rules of the 
gospel. 

John Wheelock, 
John Smith, 
John Hubbard. 

A reply was made to this on the 28th by Caleb Fuller, Benoni 
Dewey and James Wheelock, a committee of the church, stating 
that in accordance with the suggestion of the Trustees, they 
were ready, as they always had been, to submit any and all 
matters of controversy to the decision of a mutual council, but 
asking whether the letter received represented the church or 
only the signers. In response to this question the old church 
voted November 7, to concur "with their brethren who are 
executive officers in the College in any regular measures which 
they may think proper to adopt" to induce the other party 
"to make christian satisfaction for their conduct which may 
appear unbecoming the professed followers of Christ," but to 
do nothing "to endanger the existence of this church, or to cause 
a separation of its members who are now in fellowship." A 
long correspondence followed in which, though both sides ex- 
pressed an earnest desire for an agreement, each was more earnest 
to expose the weakness of the other's position than to find a 
basis of agreement. The case of the new church was the more 
ably presented, and the skillful statement of its view was what 
in the end made the council possible. The old church was willing 
to lay before a council all questions of "moral grievance" that 
had arisen, of which they had many against the new church, 
though for themselves they said, "if we have done anything 



I795-I8I4-] College Church and Controversy. 39 

contrary to the rules of the gospel, we hope our imperfections 
will be overlooked by men and forgiven by God, but we find no 
abraidings of our own consciences." The question of the de- 
sirability of organizing the new church they would not submit 
to a council, as they conceived it to be "a natural right to be 
together," and to submit such a point was equivalent to sub- 
mitting the existence of the church, "which would be condemned 
by the gospel and disapproved by all enlightened pious men." 
But they did concede that if their opinion on this point was a 
"matter of moral grievance" to any of the other party, that 
party could bring it before the council as such, and they 
proposed that the matters be submitted to the Windsor Asso- 
ciation, together with a few other ministers, or that the com- 
mittee of the Trustees appoint five or more ministers to act as a 
council. 

The new church, on the other hand, insisted that all matters 
of dissension should be brought before the council, saying that 
it was of no use to settle one part of the disagreement if another 
important part was left untouched. Unless, therefore, the old 
church was willing to submit the whole case they could not 
consent to a partial submission, but in their desire to have a 
settlement, and with the view that neither party was a proper 
judge in the case, they proposed that each side should make a 
statement of the matters which in its judgment ought to be sub- 
mitted to the council, and that the council should decide which 
statement was the proper basis for its deliberations. This prop- 
osition was not acceptable, and an agreement seemed impossi- 
ble, when the new church acceded in apparent form to the other's 
demands by the following statement of its position : 

We wish to be fully understood. We have no idea that a council, should 
one be convened, would undertake to determine the question, that began 
our controversy viz. whether Mr. Shurtleff be ordained as sole pastor of the 
church, but if either of us, or any member of the old church while that question 
was agitated, conducted unbecoming the followers of Christ and thereby have 
given just cause of offense; this we apprehend would be a proper subject for 
the consideration of the council. 

We have no idea that the council would undertake to determine, whether 
we of the new church shall remain as distinct or be reunited to the old church, 
or whether the old church as it now is, shall be divided and some of its mem- 
bers against their will be annexed to the new church — these are matters which 
we conceive cannot be submitted — but if we or any of us have pursued any 
measures, unbecoming our Christian profession to procure our separation from 
the old, and formation into a new church — or if you or either of you have 
done anything unbecoming your Christian profession, stood in the way or 



40 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. IX. 

hindered our free and full enjoyment of any of the divine ordinances, these 
also we apprehend would be proper subjects for the consideration of the council. 

The two parties had now reached a common position but 
from different reasons. The old church beHeving that it had 
an "inaHenable right" to be connected with the other would not 
consent to have the question of that connection raised, but 
insisted that after the matters of moral grievance had been 
passed upon by the council the whole church as before con- 
stituted should decide by itself the relation of its members. 
The new church held that as it was de facto an independent 
church there was no question of its relation that could be sub- 
mitted to a council but only the question of the conduct of its 
members. A mutual council was agreed upon, and each party 
was to present its grievances in writing. The council met on the 
19th of February, 1806. 

The new church presented as its complaints the "unjustifiable 
inconsistency" of Professor Smith and his supporters in refusing, 
after he had declared his wish to withdraw from the pulpit, 
to consent to settle Professor Shurtleff, whom "they chose," 
except as a colleague to Professor Smith, whom "they did not 
choose"; the unwillingness of the old church to listen to "ex- 
postulations on their unreasonable interference" and their 
"taking occasion wrongly to accuse the new church"; the various 
facts mentioned in the remonstrance of February 12; "their 
taking advantage of a majority" to vote what was of no profit 
to themselves, only "aggression, grievous, overbearing and 
oppressive"; their refusal to join in a mutual council and their 
attempt to neutralize the result of the ex parte council, "betray- 
ing an artful design to hold an advantage not consistent with 
simplicity" ; their putting obstacles in the way of the organization 
of the new church; their stigmatizing them as "seceders"; their 
renouncing of fellowship with the organizing clergymen; their 
declaration to the Trustees, and their "measures to remove 
the college to the chapel and to limit the usefulness of Professor 
Shurtleff," and that "Dr. Smith denounced Jacob Ward." 

The complaints presented by the old church, signed by John 
Wheelock, John Smith and John Hubbard, were in substance 
the same as those contained in the specifications to the Trustees. 
They were drawn out in wearisome iteration and detail and 
present the same elusive and unworthy opposition. 

The council continued in session five days and on the 24th 



1795-1814] College Church and Controversy. 41 

reached and published a unanimous result. No charges of moral 
grievance were supported on either side, on the contrary both 
parties were bid to observe how easy it was in controversies for 
misinterpretation of the most sincere expressions to arise, and 
how necessary were self examination and forbearance. For the 
practical adjustment of difficulties they then made the following 
recommendations : 

We judge it expedient that there be but one church at present in connection 
with the College, denominated as formerly, consisting of two branches one on 
the east side, and the other on the west side of Connecticut river, under the 
same covenant as heretofore, that each branch have an independent and exclu- 
sive right of admitting and disciplining its own members. That each branch 
also have the exclusive privilege of employing or settling a minister of their 
own choice. That should there be a Pastor in each branch they act as moder- 
ators exclusively in their respective branches. That there be annually the 
same number of communions in the meeting house on the college plain as 
heretofore, both branches then uniting in the solemnity. That in case there 
be only one administrator, to whichever branch he may belong, he administer 
to the v/hole church. That in case of two such administrators, and both pres- 
ent at the solemnity it be optional with them whether to divide the services 
of each solemnity, or each perform the whole alternately. That it be optional 
with each branch v/hether any, or how many intermediate communions they 
will have and at any intermediate communion of one branch the members of 
the other have free invitation to participate. In case of two ministers, that is 
one connected with each branch, each perform Parochial duties for such as 
stand related to him by their own choice. And should this result be mutually 
accepted it is proposed that there be a meeting of the whole church without 
unnecessary delay, when the Rev. Dr. Smith acting as moderator, some person 
be chosen Scribe to whom shall be committed the original records of this church, 
whose duty it may be to record any after vote of the whole church. Then let 
each branch in its distinct capacity, choose a standing Moderator and Scribe. 
And it is proposed that in any meetings of the whole church should there be an 
administrator in each branch they preside as Moderator alternately, and if 
there be but one administrator he preside in all such general meetings. 

This plan, though it was afterward called by President Whee- 
lock in his Sketches "vague and indeterminate," was cordially 
accepted by him in behalf of the members of the Hartford church 
when it was announced by the council, and it was in fact happily 
designed to produce harmony among those who really wished for 
harmony. Its provisions were few and simple and required for 
their success only a reasonable spirit on the part of the two parties. 
It gave to the church a formal unity in calHng for a general meet- 
ing at the first for the election of a scribe as the custodian of the 
records, and in providing for possible though apparently unex- 
pected general meetings in the future, and in bringing the whole 



42 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. IX. 

church together at times for the celebration of the sacrament. 
It also re-established the Presbyterian form of government in 
both branches. At a later time after the failure of this plan and 
after the east branch had reverted to the Congregational form, 
President Wheelock made the change the occasion of an acri- 
monious charge against the church, and bitterly assailed the 
Trustees of the College for allowing Professor Shurtleff to preach 
to the church, on the ground that the original principles of 
the institution had been subverted and that it was a breach 
of trust to use the proceeds of the Phillips fund to pay a 
professor who preached to a Congregational church, though there 
was no perversion when he preached to the same church on a 
Presbyterian basis, but if it had not been for his opposition this 
plan of the council would have resulted in the re-establishment 
of the Presbyterian form. On the other hand the plan made the 
two churches practically independent in the essential matters of 
admitting and disciplining members and calling and settling 
pastors. 

Both churches accepted the result of the council but in different 
terms. The old church met in the meeting house in Hanover 
March 20 and expressed their acceptance and understanding of 
it in the following terms: 

On taking into consideration the result of the mutual council . . . and 
being highly pleased and fully satisfied with the same, as proper and well 
adapted to the state of this church; unanimously voted, that agreeably to the 
intent, meaning and import of said result, this church shall continue in the 
future to be one and the same as heretofore, and the members of the same re- 
main under the same covenant as formerly in said church. That accordingly, 
the same plan of government as heretofore shall continue in future to be the con- 
stitutional form of government for the church, embracing the two branches. 
That in case of a vacancy in the pastoral office in either branch the existing 
pastor may discharge the duties of administrator over both branches: and 
that members may be admitted, and discipline exercised in each branch sepa- 
rately. That there shall be no change in the ecclesiastical form of government 
in either branch unless the whole church composed of the two branches, at a 
regular meeting shall agree to the same. That individual members on the 
east or west side of the river shall have a right to belong to either branch, as 
they may incline. That in future any member or members having any diffi- 
culty with any other member or members of the Church, shall have a right, if 
he, she, or they should desire it, to be heard and tried by the pastors and elders 
of the two branches, composing one judicial tribunal. That there shall be a 
meeting of the two branches, whenever any member or members in either 
branch shall desire it for such reasons as shall appear important to the pastor 
or pastors, as heretofore, the same to be seasonably and duly published in 
the two branches by the existing pastor or pastors; and in case of a possible 



1 795-1814] College Church and Controversy. 43 

vacancy in both these offices, by the elders of either branch. That the two 
pastors shall alternately act as moderators at the meeting of the whole church, 
which duty shall always be discharged by the existing pastor, when there shall 
be only one. That when the two branches shall meet to attend the special 
ordinances, there being two pastors, they shall officiate on these occasions by 
agreement, and when there is only one pastor, it shall be his duty to administer 
the same. That each branch shall have the right of admitting members into 
the same; but when any member applies for admission into either branch, he 
or she shall be publicly propounded a reasonable time in each branch. 

Unanimously voted that this church do fully and cordially adopt the whole 
of the aforesaid result of the reverend council which we consider as embracing 
in its tenor, import, and meaning all the articles contained in the foregoing 
remarks. And should any concerned conceive that any of the said preceding 
remarks are not intended and embraced in the said results, we would hereby 
express our willingness and cheerfulness to enter into any amicable conference 
or discussion respecting the same, with the spirit of Christian accommodation. 
And should there finally remain any disagreement between this church and 
others concerned, as to the true intent and meaning of any part of said result, 
this church will be cheerfully ready to join in asking the opinion and advice of 
the honorable committee of the Trustees, or a majority of those who are 
nearest, and were present at the session of said council: and likewise of a ma- 
jority of the members of the council who formed the result, and are nearest; 
and that in case of such reference, some one of said committee be intrusted 
with the whole business of obtaining such opinion and advice. 

This interpretation was clearly intended to produce disagree- 
ment. Under the pretence of acceptance it modified or reversed 
every important recommendation of the council. The result 
emphasized the separateness of the two churches; the acceptance 
declared the church one and the same as before; the result gave 
to each church the exclusive right of admitting and disciplining 
its own members, the acceptance changed the "exclusive right" 
into the "right," and further modified it in the matter of admis- 
sion by requiring that candidates be propounded in both 
branches, and in the matter of discipline by giving the discipline of 
members in controversies with one another into the hands of the 
whole church ; the result made provision for one general meeting 
of the churches, and after that expected no more, but the accept- 
ance allowed the pastors to call a meeting of the whole church 
at the request of any member. President Wheelock saw what 
would follow the acceptance of the recommendations of the 
council in their plain meaning. The new church would be firmly 
established with Professor Shurtleff for its pastor. There would 
be no reason why he and Professors Smith and Hubbard should 
not join it, as the two churches were on an absolute equality, and 
vicinity, association and college interests were all in favor of the 



44 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. IX. 

local relation. But such a step would be a complete victory for 
his opponents and a confession of his defeat, and to this he could 
not bring himself. Yet openly to refuse the result of the council 
would be to put himself manifestly in the wrong, as well as to 
defeat the suggestion of the Trustees in advising a council. He 
was, therefore, forced to assent, but while fully assenting in form 
he coupled his assent with explanations which nullified the whole, 
and to which he knew the other side could not agree. To the 
controversy which must inevitably ensue he tried again to make 
the Trustees a party by suggesting that disputed matters be 
referred to their committee, or that one of them should serve 
as a medium of communication between the churches and the 
council. In this he failed, as the local church would not agree 
to such a reference and the Trustees were not willing to be drawn 
into the controversy. 

The meeting of the new church to consider the recommenda- 
tions of the council was held April 4, 1806, at which they voted 
to accept the result, after having first stated in a preamble of 
rather aggressive terms their understanding of the recommenda- 
tions. 

It appearing to this church, that al! those rights and privileges for which we 
have so long contended, are by the expression, spirit, meaning and implication 
of the said result, fully secured, and guaranteed to us — that according to the 
same, each branch has an independent and exclusive right of admitting, and 
disciplining its own members, which necessarily implies, and invests, an entire 
and separate jurisdiction to each branch. And that each branch has also the 
entire and exclusive privilege of settling a minister of its own choice, without 
the interference of the other. And altho' a meeting of the whole church is 
recommended for the particular purpose therein mentioned, yet we consider, 
that it was not meant or intended by sd. result: and the same does not express, 
or imply, that there should ever thereafter, be any meeting together of the 
two branches, and that should there ever be any such gen', meeting of the 
two branches, we consider it as meant and intended by sd. result, that in 
any matter that may relate to, come before, or be transacted at such a gen', 
meeting, each branch shall be on an equal footing, and have in every respect, 
an equal weight and voice with the other branch, without any reference to any 
majority of individual votes whatever, and that consequently it was the mean- 
ing and design of sd. council, by sd. result, that there should be only, as it 
were, a confederation or coalescion of the two churches; and on such a plan as 
to secure to each its separate exclusive and independent rights and privileges. 
Therefore unanimously Voted, that the result aforesaid, which we consider 
and esteem, as a choice fruit of the wisdom, benevolence, piety, and christian 
love of the Revd. council who formed the same, we will, and hereby do, with 
the utmost sincerity, most cheerfully, and cordially, acquiesce, comply with 
and accept. 



1 795-1 8 14-] College Church and Controversy. 45 

The church further voted to adopt the name of the "East 
Branch of the Church at Dartmouth College," to adopt the old 
covenant, which did not differ in any essential from their own, 
and to admit the members of the other church on the east side of 
the river who wished to join them. To theother church, which 
had communicated to them a copy of its vote, they expressed 
surprise at its interpretation, but also their own willingness to 
enter upon a discussion of the points involved, adding that if an 
agreement were not reached the only proper thing to do was to 
ask the same council which had formed the result to interpret it. 
They appointed a committee to report their acceptance of the 
result, but they did not communicate the exact vote or the 
preamble. They then voted to ask Dr. Smith, appointed moder- 
ator of the first general meeting by the result, to call such a meet- 
ing, if agreeable, on some day of the next week. 

This meeting was called, the other church agreeing, for Thurs- 
day the loth of April, and held at the meeting house in Hanover.^ 
The old church proposed that they enter at once upon a discussion 
of their differences, but the Hanover members urged that it was 
proper, first to attend to the special business for which they had 
met, the election of a scribe, and then to confer on other matters. 
After some debate a motion was made to proceed to elect a 
scribe, which was carried, ten to three, all the Hanover members 
voting in the aflfirmative, and on the ballot for scribe Professor 
Hubbard received ten votes, none of the Hartford members 
voting, and he was declared elected. A discussion was then 
begun as to the construction of the result, and, as might have 
been expected, each party held strictly to its own interpretation. 
Before the meeting, however, when it became known that there 
was a dilTerence of understanding, James Wheelock, one of the 
new church, had written to the members of the council asking 
them their explanation of the result. In reply they sent him a 
certificate signed by them all, and a letter from Mr. Pruden, the 
moderator of the council, endorsed by each of the others. These 
were brought forward in the discussion in support of the position 
of the new church. 

We the subscribers, members of the late ecclesiastical council convened at 
Dartmouth College on the 19th day of February last, do hereby certify — 
That it was our meaning and understanding, in the Result we then published, 

* There were present the ten male members of the new church mentioned on page 29 and 
eleven members of the old church: Dr. Smith, the moderator. President Wheelock, Professor 
Hubbard, Deacons Samuel Dutton and John Dutton, Hezekiah Hazen, Solomon Hazen, Phile- 
inon Hsizen, Juniah Chapman, Hervey Gibbs and Friend Ingraham. 



46 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. IX. 

that neither of the branches of the church therein proposed should call any 
meeting of the whole church, after the first but by agreement of both branches 
therefor. 

And that at any such meeting of the whole church, in any matter that may 
relate to the convenience, or any of the rights, or privileges of either of the 
branches, each branch should have equal weight in voting without reference 
to any majority of individuals. 
March 1805. 

The letter was equally definite on the other points in the result 
and wholly confirmed the position of the new church, but it was 
without effect except that after the meeting some of the Hartford 
members expressed privately their satisfaction that the letters 
had been read. Notwithstanding the disagreement the new 
church proceeded on the assumption that the union had been 
effected, and from then on for more than three years notified the 
other church of its communion seasons and invited its members 
to be present, although no such invitation was received in return. 
It was, however, increasingly evident that the controversy was 
not between the two churches, but between one church and 
President Wheelock,^ and from this time on the Hartford church, 
except as it was approached again by the Hanover church in 
1809 and passed in reply two formal votes, in which the President's 
hand was evident, takes no part. The struggle passed wholly 
to the east side of the river, where President Wheelock, as the 
church became secure, transferred it to the Board of Trustees 
and made them, instead of the church, the other party to the 
contest. Little by little, as the Hartford church dropped into 
the background. President Wheelock became more and more the 
aggrieved party and made increasing claims. At first he objected 
to some exchanges on Professor Shurtleff's part only on the 
ground of the bad conduct of some of the ministers in supporting 
the new church, but now he claimed a charter right to regulate 

> James Wheelock in a letter to his brother, President Wheelock, dated April 19, 1806, very 
clearly shows that the decision rested with the President. After recalling the progress of the 
difficulty and showing how the council opened the way for reconciliation for those who wished 
it, he refers to a statement of the President that he had not and would not accept the result, 
and says, "What motive can influence you thereto — the reasons you offered the Trustees are 
now done away. We insist on no privilege, but what the other branch has a right to, and which 
it is our choice that they should enjoy as well as we. What you insist on, it seems cannot be, 
and you do not pretend that it is any matter of conscience — it is not my business to conjecture 
what motive then it is that does or can influence you in this matter — but whatever it may be, 
I beg you ... to consider the consequences which will probably follow." Again in 
August he wrote in connection with the attempt of the President to have the Trustees remove 
Professor Shurtleff to the chapel: "Should you persist in your design, and attain the object 
of your wishes by a decree from the Trustees of the College, that Mr. Shurtleff may be removed 
from the meeting house to the Chapel, what advantage can possibly result to the Institution 
or to yourself thereby other than (if any it can be) of having carried your point)" 



1 795-1 8 1 4-] College Church and Controversy. 47 

all of Professor Shurtleff's exchanges, and before the Board he 
complained of him for "taciturnity respecting church difficulties," 
for injudicious conduct in the management of meetings and for 
"being shy of him and the other college officers." 

Not long after the action of the churches the committee of the 
Trustees met and prepared a report,' dated May 16 and signed by 
all the members except Mr. Farrar. They did not think it best 
to call an extra meeting of the Trustees, but the substance of the 
report prepared long before the annual meeting, which did not 
come till the 27th of August, was allowed to be generally known 
and served to intensify the feeling locally and among those 
interested in other places. It declared that the President and 
professors had made overtures of conciliation to the members of 
the new church, that the result of a mutual council which was 
called was so open to different constructions that it was without 
effect, and that no reconciliation could be effected compatible 
with the dignity and interest of the College, and, therefore, 
recommended that the Trustees "devise some effectual measures 
to protect the officers of the College in the enjoyment of their 
natural and religious rights and privileges; that they render them, 
in the discharge of their respective professional duties, independ- 
ent of all others than the Trustees, and that their public services 
be solely directed to the benefit of the institution and its mem- 
bers." It further recommended that "such place of public wor- 
ship be provided for the officers and students of College, as will 
enable them and the whole of the Church of Dartmouth College 
to enjoy the ordinances of the gospel, without the interrruption 
or intervention of any; and that the salaries and perquisites of the 
officers be so far increased that they shall need no foreign aid for 
their support." 

The object of this report was to force the Trustees to act, by 
representing that there was an infringement of the rights of the 
College in the person of its officers, and to withdraw the officers 
and the students from the meeting house to the chapel, and to 
require Professor Shurtleff to preach to them instead of to the 
congregation. The increase in his salary was to be a partial 
compensation for his loss of the support of the church. Action 
by the Trustees could not have been, like that by a council, a sub- 
ject of discussion and disagreement between the churches, while 
it would have controlled the college officers to whom it related. 
The adoption of the report would have been, therefore, a complete 

' Answer to Uie Vindication, etc., p. 28. 



48 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. IX. 

victory for President Wheelock, and would have left the new 
church without a minister or the means of supporting one. If Pro- 
fessor Shurtlefif had been unwilUng to leave the people and go 
to the chapel, where they could not come, he might have resigned 
his professorship, as many thought that he would do, but the 
church could not have given him sufficient financial support and 
he would have been forced to leave the College and the church and 
to go to another more lucrative position to which he was invited. 
There was no little apprehension as to the effect of this report 
upon the Trustees. The names of four members of the Board 
were affixed to it, and as the twelve Trustees were seldom all 
present at a meeting the addition of two names would almost 
assure its adoption, and if but nine were present at the 
next meeting a single addition would give a majority in its favor. 
As the people in the village had presented their wishes to the 
Board the year before it was not desirable for them to repeat 
them, and there came to their aid the ministers of New Hamp- 
shire and Vermont, who, through the action of the two councils, 
had become acquainted with the affairs of the church and the 
College, and were almost wholly on the side of the new church. 
When the meeting of the Board came the report of the committee 
was met by an opposing address signed by thirty-eight ministers.^ 
Excusing themselves for their address on the ground of their 
interest in the College, they expressed their "very deep regret" 
at the existing controversy at Hanover. They understood that 
an application "from a very respectable source" had been made 
at the last Commencement to have Professor Shurtleff perform 
his ministerial labors in the chapel, and they apprehended "it 
not unlikely that a renewal of that request" might be made at 
this meeting. They asked the Trustees to make careful inquiry 
whether the reasons were "sufficiently weighty and important, 
or duly substantiated, . . . to justify a measure so pregnant, 
apparently, with consequences as the change and innovation 

» Isaiah Potter of Lebanon, Sam^ Wood of Boscawen, W™. Conant of Lime, Nathan Waldo 
of Williamstown, Vt., James Hobart, of Berlin, Vt., Drury Fairbanks of Plymouth, Daniel 
Dickinson of Meriden, Asa Burton of Thetford, Vt., John Smith of Haverhill, Nathaniel Lam- 
bert of Newbury, Vt., Thos. Worcester of Salisbury, W"\ Patrick of Canterbury, Ethan Smith 
of Hopkinton, David L. Morrill of Goffstown, Moses Sawyer of Henniker, Lemuel Bliss of 
Bradford, Stephen Chapin of Hillsborough, Abraham Bordwell of Sanbomton, Tilton East- 
man of Randolph, Vt., Gardiner Kellogg of Bradford, V't., Daniel Stanniford. Enoch 
Whipple, Walter Harris of Dunbarton, Josiah Babcock of Andover, Noah Worcester of 
Thornton, Micaiah Porter of Plainfield, Jacob Haven of Croyden, Abijah Wines of Newport, 
Joseph Rowell of Cornish, Asa McFarland of Concord, Josiah Carpenter of Chichester, Ebenezer 
Price of Boscawen, Jon" Strong of Randolph, Mass., Josiah Webster of Hampton, Bancroft 
Fowler of Windsor, Vt., John Lord of Washington, Leonard Worcester of Peacham, Vt., John 
Fitch of Danville, Vt. 



1 795-1 8 14-] College Church afid Controversy. 49 

proposed." Many of the signers of the address were in Hanover 
at Commencement to enforce their views in person. 

When the report and the address came up for discussion in 
the Board on the 29th the address was laid upon the table and 
the report was recommitted to the same committee with the 
request that they "point out particularly the place of public 
worship contemplated: the means proposed by the committee 
to enlarge the salaries of the officers," and that they suggest 
definite proposals for carrying their ideas into effect. In response 
the committee made on the same day a supplementary report in 
which they recommended that Mills Olcott be appointed the 
agent of the Board to purchase seats in the meeting house not 
exceeding in value $1,000, the purchase to be made, however, 
only "on the condition that the owners of the residue of said 
house shall agree, in proper form, that the said house shall be 
under the control of the Trustees and the Executive Authority 
of the College, for the purpose of usual and stated times of reli- 
gious worship, and for administering the ordinances to the Presby- 
terian Church at Dartmouth College, and for such collegiate 
exercises as they may from time to time deem proper." The 
house was to be open for the use of the other owners when it was 
not occupied by the direction of the Executive Authority. It 
was further recommended that the professor of theology perform 
divine service in the house on Sunday and other appointed times, 
making such exchanges only as should be approved by the Presi- 
dent or a majority of the Executive Authority, and deliver at 
least one theological lecture a week at the College chapel in term 
time; that he receive the same salary as the other professors, 
which was to be raised to $600 a year, and that he "take upon 
him no parochial charge other than the church, officers and 
students of Dartmouth College; nor shall he, by any contract 
or subscription receive any emoluments except from the Trustees 
of said College"; and also, to meet the expense of purchasing 
seats in the meeting house, that the tuition be raised one dollar 
a quarter and room rent fifty cents a quarter. 

This report was an advance upon the preceding one in that it 
definitely sought to control the meeting house, and to separate 
Professor Shurtlefif from the new church by forbidding him to 
have any "parochial charge except the church, officers and 
students of Dartmouth College," which in the President's view 
constituted the Hartford church, or to receive any emolument 
from any one except the Trustees. These prohibitions, if effect- 



50 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. IX. 

ive, would have given the President the entire control of the 
situation. The report was received and accepted and Mills 
Olcott was appointed to treat with the proprietors of the meeting 
house. On the next day he reported that the desired purchase 
of pews could not be made. The owners were for the most part 
members of the new church or sympathizers with it, and they did 
not propose to sell themselves out of home. The situation indi- 
cated by this report was referred to a new committee consisting 
of Messrs. Jacob and Burroughs, friends of the President, who 
spent three days in examining the situation and consulting the 
parties in interest, and then made a report differing in material 
points from that of the former committee, and attempting to 
conciliate the opposing parties. 

They proposed that the Trustees and the executive officers 
should have the control of the meeting house for Commencement 
days and for the public college exercises, in accordance with a 
previous agreement with the proprietors, that on Sundays the 
officers and students should have free enjoyment of the building, 
that if two bodies of worshipers, not having fellowship with one 
another, used the building they should have stated times of wor- 
ship so as not to interrupt each other, that the professor of 
theology should perform divine service in the house on Sunday 
or by exchange not disapproved by the President, and should by 
exchange provide administrators agreeable to the two bodies, that 
if a professor of theology should be appointed who was not 
acceptable to the proprietors the Trustees would then sell to 
them any interest they might have in the house for a cash pay- 
ment determined by agreement or arbitration, and specially, 
"as the people in this vicinity esteem it a duty and privilege to 
contribute, according to their abilities, toward a compensation to 
the Professor of Theology for his administration to them, that 
they have that privilege, provided it be not done in a way 
repugnant to the true intent of the resolution of the honorable 
Board of Trustees, in relation to the matter of his receiving his 
yearly compensation for his services as Professor of Theology." 
The requirement of one theological lecture a week in the chapel 
was changed to one in three weeks. ^ 

The main differences between the two reports were that the 
first gave the control of the meeting house into the hands of the 

' The burden of one such lecture every week in addition to his preaching on Sunday and his 
other college work was regarded by Professor Shurtleff as "intolerably severe and cruel," as it 
was afterward admitted to be by Dr. Burroughs, who voted for the measure, yet President 
Wheelock on his part regarded the change as unjustifiable leniency. 



1795-1814.] College Church and Controversy. 51 

College for itself and the Presbyterian church, while the second 
left it to the proprietors except for public college exercises; the 
first appointed Professor Shurtleff to preach on Sunday, but to 
the church approved by the Executive, which was of course the 
old one, while the second continued the existing arrangement, and 
the first left the new church without a minister or administrators, 
while the second gave equal privileges to the two churches. 
How, according to the second report, the people could contribute 
toward the compensation of the professor of theology in a way 
not repugnant to a resolution of the Board which declared that 
he should not "by contract or subscription receive any emolument 
except from the Trustees of the College," was a riddle which they 
did not attempt to solve, and it is no clearer now than it was then. 

In his "Answer to the Vindication of the Trustees" Mr. Dun- 
ham states^ that the President and Mr. Freeman opposed this 
report, the President declaring that its acceptance "would ruin 
the institution," but it was nevertheless adopted. In modifica- 
tion of their previous action the Trustees appointed Mills Olcott 
their agent to rent pews in the meeting house, excused the profes- 
sor of theology from delivering a public lecture oftener than once 
in three weeks in addition to his other duties, and retained the 
salaries of the professors at $500, but gave an addition for the 
year of $50. The memorial of the ministers was the occasion of 
much debate. The President attempted to secure condemnation 
both at this and the next annual meeting, without success, but at 
an adjourned meeting January 8, 1808, carried by his casting vote 
a resolve^ "that whether the representations contained therein 
were founded in mistake or otherwise, the Board consider this 
attempt to influence their determination on the subject to which 
the memorial refers as highly improper." 

After this unsuccessful attempt to enlist the Trustees in the 
controversy, matters went on for three years without any outward 
change till the death of Professor Smith. By this event the old 
church was left without a pastor and President Wheelock lost his 
chief supporter in Hanover. To one who really wished for the 
end of strife it would seem as if the opportunity for it had come. 
No question was any longer possible as to the relation of Professor 
Smith and Professor Shurtleff in the churches, and to Professor 
Shurtlefi' the Hartford church had no objection, as was shown by 

» Page 31. 

' Yeas, President Wheelock, Messrs. Burroughs, Smith, Freeman, Gilman and Jacob. Nays, 
Messrs. Olcott, Niles, Thompson, Farrar and Paine. 



52 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. IX. 

their action two years later in asking him to be their pastor, so 
that if he had been taken as the pastor of the whole church, as 
Professor Smith had been before him, there would have been no 
longer any occasion of contention. But this was not the wish of 
President Wheelock who by such a settlement of the contest 
would have lost his leadership of the Hartford body. He felt 
that it was important for him that the church should be at once 
supplied with a pastor and one who would support him in his 
attitude toward the new church, and he turned to the Rev. Dr. 
Eden Burroughs whose good-will he had secured in 1805. The 
relation of Mr. Burroughs to the church in Hanover Center, his 
conflict with the Grafton Presbytery, his excommunication by 
that body and subsequent refusal to accept reinstatement except 
on a confession of error on the part of the Presbytery, and his 
connection with the Windsor Association of Congregational 
churches, have been told in the first volume. Among his strongest 
opponents were President Wheelock and Professor Smith, both 
of whom had been prominent in the deliberations of the Presby- 
tery when his case was tried and decision given against him.^ 
For nearly twenty years "such had been the enmity between 
them that Dr. Wheelock would not hear him preach nor suffer 
him to pray in the college chapel, neither would Dr. Smith 
exchange parochial labor with him," but in 1805 when President 
Wheelock as the champion of Presbyterianism was looking round 
for support for the old church he turned to Mr. Burroughs, whose 
favor he sought to secure by recalling the action of the Grafton 
Presbytery. That body had gone out of existence, many of the 
important members who had taken part in the trial of Mr. 
Burroughs were dead, and its records were not available, but at a 
meeting on November 7 the old church at the suggestion of Presi- 
dent Wheelock reviewed the action of the Presbyter>% and "with- 
out any previous reason being assigned " passed the following vote 
censuring the Presbytery and taking Mr. Burroughs into their 
fellowship: 

Upon a review and careful examination of the proceedings of the 
Grafton Presbytery against the Rev. Eden Burroughs and the church under his 
care, in the year 1784, and from time to time since that period, it was unani- 
mously voted that we think it our duty publickly to declare, that, in our view 
through some unhappy inattention or whatever cause, the proceedings of said 
presbytery were founded upon principles which the gospel does not approve: 

» President Wheelock was In Europe in 1784 wlien Mr. Burroughs was excommunicated, but 
he was one of the committee that subsequently considered the case in 1793 and approved the 
previous action of the Presbytery. 



I795-I8I4-] College Church and Controversy. 53 

and that through misrepresentation, they were led into those mistakes which it 
sacredly behooves professing Christians carefully to avoid. And we earnestly 
recommend to one and all the same review and examination of those matters; 
and we are well persuaded that they will stand convinced that the proceedings 
of the Rev. Eden Burroughs and his Church have been governed by a sincere 
regard to that order and fellowship, which the word of God requires, and that 
it is the duty and privilege of Churches to hold them in fellowship as brethren 
beloved, and as becometh saints. 

This action of the church was the ratification of the friendship, 
of which the first pubHc intimation had been the nomination to 
the Trustees in 1805 of Mr. Burroughs for the degree of D. D., an 
honor which, after the delay of a year in accordance with the prac- 
tise of the Board at that time, was conferred upon him at the next 
annual meeting. By this friendship President Wheelock secured 
in Mr. Burroughs an adviser to whom he immediately turned in 
his controversy with the church, and also a consistent supporter 
in the Board, and the further advantage of having one who was 
ready to take the place left vacant by the death of Professor 
Smith. This occurred April 30, 1809, and on the 4th of June, the 
Hartford church, which had so recently restored Dr. Burroughs 
to the Presbyterian fold, chose him as its moderator so long as the 
church should be destitute of a pastor, and on September 8 gave 
him a unanimous call to take the pastoral care of the church. 
This call coincided with a movement on the part of the two 
churches at Hanover Center to unite. Dr. Burroughs's church 
had assented to the union, but many of the other church felt that 
they would not "feel privileged under his administration," and 
as Dr. Burroughs's church was not willing to abandon him the 
matter halted. The invitation to Hartford relieved the situation 
in Hanover and a council which met November 15, 1809, advised 
the dissolution of Dr. Burroughs's long standing relation and his 
transfer to Hartford. The action of the council was only the 
ratification of a fact, as Dr. Burroughs had taken charge of the 
Dothan church on November i. To secure him more definitely 
for this church President Wheelock is stated to have added to 
his small stipend $100 a year from his own funds. ^ 

Very soon after the settlement of Dr. Burroughs the Hanover 
church began a correspondence with his church looking toward 

1 True and Concise Narrative, page 44. Mr. Peyton R. Freeman in his pamphlet, "A 
Refutation of Sundry Aspersions in the 'Vindication' of the Present Trustees of Dartmouth 
College on the Memory of their Predecessors, Portsmouth, 1816," states that he is "credibly 
informed" that President Wheelock did not make this contribution, but defends it as a worthy 
act. 



54 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. IX. 

a reconciliation. What they hoped for was not a union into one 
church, but a definite recognition of the separate existence of the 
two branches, which perhaps they thought would be more easily 
attained now that another pastor than Professor Smith was at 
the head of the other branch. On December 12, 1809, the Han- 
over church, by a committee consisting of Caleb Fuller, Benoni 
Dewey and James Wheelock, addressed a letter to Dr. Burroughs 
for his church, recalling the fact of the mutual council of three 
years before, and that each church claimed that it had accepted 
the result of the council and that the other had erred in its inter- 
pretation. They, therefore, proposed that another mutual 
council should be called to which should be submitted the question 
which of the two, if either, had really accepted the result, and if 
either was at fault in interpretation or practice what should be 
done to rectify the fault. In reply to this the Hartford church 
proposed as more effectual the appointment by both parties of 
committees of conference which might bring about the desired 
reconciliation, and chose for their committee the pastor, Pro- 
fessor Hubbard and Hezekiah Hazen. 

As might have been expected the conference that followed was 
fruitless, the Hartford members holding on to dead issues by 
insisting on discussing "moral questions" and that both parties 
should "have full liberty to open the wounds they have received," 
while those from Hanover wished to establish the result of the 
last council or to call another. On the report of the committees 
the Hartford church declared that it had never accepted the 
result of the former council except on its own understanding of 
the result and that it did not favor another council as it would 
have no authority and either party might decline to accept its 
conclusions. The Hanover church , feeling that further conference 
was useless, addressed on the 9th of March, 1810, a letter to the 
Orange Association, the successor of the Grafton Presbytery, 
which was to meet at Cornish on the 14th, rehearsing the disagree- 
ments that had arisen over the action of the former council and 
asking advice as to what further duty was incumbent on them, 
and requesting that a committee of two or three from each branch 
of the Association should meet in Hanover on the 27th to make 
inquiries and to report to the next meeting of the Association.^ 

The committee was appointed and met as suggested, the Hart- 
ford church being present by invitation and presenting its side, 

> True and Concise Narrative, p. 47. 



1795-1814.] College Church and Controversy. 55 

and reported at the meeting which was held in Norwich, May 9, 
at the house of Rev. James Woodward. President Wheelock 
attended the meeting and presented an address on the subject 
before it, and after dehberation the Association declared that under 
the result of the mutual council no rational prospect remained for 
a union of the two churches, 

Inasmuch as the church at Dartmouth Gollege have explicitly declined 
admitting that result as a basis of union. It is, therefore, the opinion of this 
Association, that the situation of the church in the vicinity of Dartmouth 
College ought not to be considered as having been materially affected by their 
vote to accept of said result. Accordingly we consider this church as standing 
on the same ground, on which it stood previous to the calling of that council; 
and as being, to all intents and purposes, a regular organized church, in fellow- 
ship with the churches belonging to this Association. 

In the hope that a union might still be effected they suggested 
another council of seven members, three to be chosen by the 
Londonderry Presbytery, three by the Orange Association, and 
one, who was to be moderator, by the other six. This council 
was to propose a plan of union, to adjust differences, and to decide 
upon all matters of difficulty. The result of the council was to be 
decisive if unanimous, otherwise advisory. The association itself, 
however, suggested as a plan of union that those on the west side 
of the river be formed into one church, and those on the east side 
into another, and, for the sake of harmonizing the opposing ele- 
ments on the east side, that if difficulty rose with a member he 
should have the option of being heard by the whole church or by 
the pastor and elders, and if his case were referred it should be to 
a mutual tribunal or the Presbytery, as he should choose. The 
Hartford church did not accept these suggestions, and after a 
year of discussion of various plans of union, all of which came to 
naught, the Hanover church again applied to the Orange Associa- 
tion at a meeting held at Windsor, June, 181 1, when it was voted, 
"That the Association see no reason to alter the advice then 
given [at its meeting in 18 10], or to give any further advice with 
respect to the subject at present." This was the last appeal by 
the Hanover church to any outside body for advice on the subject 
of the controversy, and from that time it maintained its inde- 
pendence under the Congregational form. 

But during the year of discussion President Wheelock made 
another attempt to detach Professor Shurtleff. On July 13, 
18 10, the Hartford church voted to invite Professor Shurtleff to 
take the pastoral care of that part of the church which was on the 



56 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. ix. 

eastsideof the river, meaning, of course, those persons, President 
Wheelock, Professor Hubbard and a few women, who kept their 
connection with the original church. The invitation was shrewdly 
worded to present its acceptance as an obligation. Professor 
ShurtlefT was reminded that he was dependent for his office and 
support on the Trustees, that they had consented to his relation 
to the College church, and that this was the College church, 
which would be deprived of the ordinances, if he should refuse, 
and on personal grounds the church particularly urged his 
acceptance, "as we unanimously respect Mr. Professor Shurtleff 
and are fully satisfied with his talents, his doctrinal and practical 
principles." This last statement is especially noteworthy in 
view of President Wheelock's later charge that there had been 
a fundamental change in the principles and teachings of the 
Institution. 

As long as there was a hope that he could bring Professor 
Shurtleff to his side he was satisfied with his principles; when 
that was shown to be impossible he regarded him as the sub- 
verter of the religious order of the College. The situation of 
Professor Shurtleff was very trying. The President and the 
oldest member of the Board were united in support of this vote, 
and in personal interviews urged upon him its acceptance, the 
President strongly setting forth, among other arguments, the 
desirability of a union among the officers of the College. But he 
did not waver and his declination of the invitation was the last 
public passage in the long controversy between the two churches. 
Three years before, in 1807, the Hartford church, feeling its isola- 
tion as the only Presbyterian church in this section of Congrega- 
tional churches, asked admission to the Londonderry Presbytery 
in the southern part of the state. It was admitted during the 
next year, and continued in that connection till it adopted the 
Congregational polity in 1839. But in settling Dr. Burroughs it 
acted on its own responsibility without regard to the Presbytery, 
and partly perhaps to set itself right in this matter and partly as a 
countermove to the endorsement of the other church by the 
Orange Association, it asked the Presbytery "to inquire into and 
consider its situation and concerns and to give any advice relative 
thereto, which they may think proper." By those outside it was 
believed that the Presbytery was called "for the purpose of pre- 
paring the way for something to be done to injure the . . . 
new church at the next meeting of the Board. "^ The Presbytery 

> Ms. Letter of Rev. J. H. Church to Professor Shurtleff. 



I795-I8I4-] College Church and Controversy. 57 

met at Hanover, July 3, 181 1, at the house of President Wheelock, 
and in recognition of the fact that the new church was Congrega- 
tional and, therefore, not under its jurisdiction, it invited to sit 
with it and to take part in its proceedings three Congregational 
ministers, the Rev. John Smith of Salem, Seth Payson of Rindge, 
and J. H. Church of Pelham, all of whom afterward became 
Trustees of the College. 

A notice was sent to the new church that the Presbytery pro- 
posed to consider the grounds and progress of the difficulties 
which had arisen between the two churches, and desired that 
any who had objections to any of the proceedings of the old church, 
or to the conduct of any of its members, should appear and present 
their objections. To this notice the church replied through a 
committee, consisting of James Wheelock, Benoni Dewey and 
Caleb Fuller, that while it distinctly denied any direct or implied 
authority of the Presbytery over it, yet, as it had important 
documents and evidence that might be necessary to a complete 
understanding of the case, it "was ready and willing and for the 
cause of truth, glad to afford any light and information" that was 
in its power. The committee, therefore, came before the Pres- 
bytery and presented its side of the case orally and with docu- 
ments. The hearing occupied several days, though the investi- 
gation was not as thorough as some wished, and was followed by 
a long session of the Presbytery spent in formulating its result. 

Naturally there were divergent views and the result was a 
compromise. A proposition to censure the new church or the 
conduct of its members was warded ofif by the three Congrega- 
tional ministers present, but in turn they had to assent to com- 
mendations of the old church, "on the ground of compromise," 
which of themselves they regarded as too strong. As a whole 
the result commended the old church as standing "on regular and 
gospel ground, agreeably to Presbyterian order. "^ Some sharp 
controversy followed in the public prints, but as each church had 
now secured the public support of the ecclesiastical body to which 
it belonged, there was nothing to be gained by such exchange of 
feeling, and each kept its several way, except for the invitation 
which the Hartford church gave to Professor Moore to become 
the pastor of its eastern members. 

At the meeting of the Trustees, August 27, -181 1, the President 
again brought forward the local difficulties, but this time not to 

1 Report of Presbytery, Dartmouth Gazette, July 17, 1811. President Wheelock's paraphrase 
of this in the Sketches, p. 22, was "regular and consistent from the beginning." 



58 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. IX. 

win the Board over to his view, but to force them to such meas- 
ures as he wished. He presented a letter in which with a long 
review of the affairs of the church he represented Professor Shurt- 
leff as delinquent in his college duties, saying that he had failed 
to deliver theological lectures to the students as had been directed 
by the Board, and that he had not preached as frequently as he 
ought, and he further charged the Trustees with a misappropria- 
tion of the Phillips fund, the foundation of the professorship 
of divinity, because they allowed the professor receiving its income 
to preach to the new church, but he suggested that if the " former 
arrangement" were restored, that is, if Professor Shurtleff should 
be required to preach to his branch of the church, " the wounds of 
the Institution might be healed." The consideration of this 
letter was put over to an adjourned meeting, in the following 
October. The Trustees then declared that it was due the Presi- 
dent that they should state distinctly their position on the 
important matters contained in his letter. Premising that in 
their opinion regular gospel instruction and regular administra- 
tion of the ordinances were highly important, that no church 
should be dependent on the funds of the College for its support, 
and also that no measure of the Trustees should in any way 
abridge the rights of conscience, they defined their position on the 
matters in question: 

The trustees consider that they have made such provision for religious 
instruction, and the administration of the ordinances, as circumstances re- 
quired; but as a very unhappy division among the professors of religion has 
taken place, and the President by his memorial seems to express a desire that 
some place, other than the meeting house, should be provided where religious 
ordinances and administrations may be attended to, the Trustees hereby 
express their consent that the President, and those officers of College who can- 
not with comfort and edification worship with the society usually worshipping 
in the meeting house, may withdraw from the meeting house, and hold 
religious exercises on Sabbaths, and other days of public worship, in the College 
Chapel, or in such place as the President and those officers may appoint: at 
which meetings, such students of College may attend, as request that permis- 
sion of any of the Executive officers. 

The Trustees cannot accede to the idea contained in the memorial, that any 
deviation from the will of the late Doct. Phillips, or any perversion of the 
Phillips fund, hath taken place, by requiring Mr. Professor Shurtleff to preach 
in the meeting house on Sabbath and other days of public worship; or by per- 
mitting him to administer Gospel ordinances, when such administration does 
not interfere with the prescribed duties of his Professorship. 

The Trustees, however, expressly declare any administration of the ordi- 
nances, or attention to Parochial concerns, which interfere with the regular 



1795-1814-1 College Church and Controversy. 59 

discharge of the duties of the Professor of Theology, to be in their opinion 
improper and unjustifiable. 

The Trustees have long labored to restore the harmony which formerly pre- 
vailed in this Institution, without success: and it is with reluctance they express 
their apprehension, that if the present state of things is suffered to remain any 
great length of time, the College will be essentially injured. i 

This vote for the first time formally placed the Trustees in 
opposition to the President. Before this they had failed to adopt 
his suggestions or follow his wishes, but now they definitely 
declared against him, not merely in the local controversy but as 
to the use of college funds. What he declared was perversion 
they maintained was lawful. In his view the quarrel in the 
church and the misuse of college funds were inseparable. The 
Trustees felt that they had nothing to do with the one and were 
not guilty of the other. They were, therefore, forced to take a 
definite position in opposition to him. But the President would 
not accept the vote as settling the controversy, and on the next 
day presented the following petition, which accentuated the 
personal element in his relations to the Board and rendered the 
division between him and its members more marked. 

Whereas in the opinion of several of the executive officers of this College, the 
diflSculties and disputes which have unhappily existed here for several years, 
have arisen and are in a great measure increased and extended by an unneces- 
sary connexion of the College in ecclesiastical matters, with the people residing 
in its vicinity — I do, in behalf of myself and them earnestly request the Honble 
Board of Trustees, that, as the most probable means of restoring the peace and 
harmony so necessary to the important interests of the Institution — They 
would countenance the publick worship of the college to be held, in future, in 
the College Chapel which was originally erected for that as its most important 
purpose — and we are the more desirous that such a measure should be adopted 
as we have full reason to believe that a large majority of the members of the 
Institutions are also desirous of the same. 

John Wheelock Presid* and in behalf of other officers. 
[N.B. Other officers being Professor Perkins and 
Tutor Mann &c.l 
Dartmouth College 

Octo. 25, 181 1. 

The records of the Board do not contain any reference to the 
petition, and the fact that a direct request of the President of the 
College was thus passed over indicates the degree of the estrange- 
ment. 

The President was defeated too, in his contest in the village; 

• On this vote the yeas were Messrs. Niles, Farrar, Paine, Marsh, McFar'and, Thompson and 
Smith; the nays Messrs. Burroughs, Oilman and Jacob. 



6o History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. IX. 

the new church was established; Professor Shurtleff, who had 
been ordained at Lyme as an evangelist, January i, 1811, though 
not its formal pastor, was closely and permanently identified with 
it in a pastoral relation ; and the Trustees, instead of giving the 
President a decided or wavering support, were opposed to his 
measures by a large majority. 

The course of events was also unfavorable to the President. 
Within a year he lost his two supporters on the Faculty. Pro- 
fessor Smith died, as has been said, April 30, 1809, and Professor 
Hubbard, August 14, 1810. 

Ebenezer Adams was appointed Professor of Languages to 
succeed Professor Smith in 1809, but in the following year, on the 
death of Professor Hubbard, he was transferred to the chair of 
mathematics, and the Rev. Zephaniah Swift Moore was chosen 
to the chair of languages. The latter was chosen against the 
wish of the President who urged the appointment of the Rev. 
Elijah Parish as one "who might act as administrator to those of 
the old church at the College"; and this he said "would remove 
all difficulties and disorders, which had so long afflicted the peace 
of the College." 

Both the newly elected professors were earnestly besought by 
President Wheelock to throw in their lot with him and the old 
church, and Professor Moore was asked to take charge, as a col- 
league to Dr. Burroughs, of the east branch of the old church, 
the position which Professor Shurtleff had refused, but Mr. Moore 
at once declined the pastorate, and after long consideration both 
connected themselves with the new church in 18 12. The vener- 
able Dr. Burroughs also died. May 22, 1813, and his place on the 
Board was filled by the Rev. Seth Payson of Rindge, The Rev. 
Asa McFarland of Concord had already taken the place left 
vacant by the death of Professor Smith, and both these new 
members of the Board soon found themselves in the exercise of an 
independent judgment uniting with those opposed to President 
Wheelock, thus leaving as his only supporters in the Board 
Messrs. Oilman and Jacob. It was charged by President Wheel- 
lock in his Sketches that men were chosen to the Board only after 
they had been prepared by the majority to accept their views 
and adopt their policy, but in their Vindication the Trustees 
declared that no person was ever approached by them to ascertain 
or influence his judgment in advance of an election, and that the 
attitude taken by the new members was solely the result of their 
unbiased observations. 



1795-1814.] College Church and Controversy. 61 

The breach between the President and the BoaM rapidly 
widened. Distrust having once received expression found many 
occasions of growth. The Trustees on their side were wearied 
by the constant friction of his relations with them and others, and 
believed, as was expressed by Dr. McFarland, that he was deter- 
mined "to be the omnis homo of the College" and that nothing 
would "satisfy him but the removal of every man, who may ever 
turn to express and maintain opinions of their own." On the 
other hand their failure to elect his nominees to positions on the 
Board or to professorships led the President to charge them with 
infringing upon his charter rights, and the charge was the more 
direct when in November, 18 14, the Board, believing that his 
instruction was ineffective, relieved the President of the teaching 
of the senior class in Edwards on the Will and gave it, with some 
change, to the different professors. A vote passed in August, 
181 1, which committed certain powers of discipline to a majority 
of the executive officers of the College instead of leaving it solely 
in the hands of the President, was regarded by him as a distinct 
invasion of his rights. Having the idea, which came to him from 
his father, that the College was a family institution, he believed 
that the Trustees were guilty of usurpation, as well as of perver- 
sion of the Phillips fund. His contest with the church passed 
over into one with the Trustees and assumed a much more per- 
sonal character, for here he was one party, and with the natural 
impulse of intense, narrow and domineering minds he believed 
that those opposed to him acted from wicked or mistaken motives 
and should be put down. Failing in all his efforts to carry the 
Board with him he looked about for outside help and determined 
to appeal to the Legislature of the State. In 1812 he proposed 
to the Board to apply to the "General Court and desire it to look 
into, and examine all concerns, and managements in relation to 
the funds, the government and education of the College and 
School." The matter was put over, and not being called up the 
next year, was a second time presented by President Wheelock 
in November, 18 14, when it was definitely negatived by the 
Board on the ground that it knew of no occasion for such an 
examination. Here the matter rested till the next year when 
the President made his appeal to the public. 



CHAPTER X. 

THE COLLEGE AND THE UNIVERSITY, THE COLLEGE CASE, BETWEEN 
1815 AND 1820. 

THE COLLEGE was distinguished at this period, beyond 
any parallel in its history, by a Board of Trust made up 
of gentlemen of commanding ability and position. Its members 
in 1 81 5 were:^ 

« From 1813 to 1816 the Board consisted of but eleven members, since Mr. Gilman waa ex 
officio member as Governor during that period, and also a member by previous election. 

Nathaniel Niles, born at South Kingston, R. I., April 3, 1741. entered Harvard College, but 
was graduated at Princeton, 1766. He studied successively law, and medicine, and also (under 
Dr. Bellamy) theology, and preached for a time at Norwich and Torrington, Ct., and quite 
regularly for twelve years of his early residence in Vermont. His views were Hopkinsian. 
Several of his sermons were published. He also (among other poems) wrote in 1775 an ode, 
in an extraordinary metre, entitled "The American Hero," which was set to music by our 
Professor Ripley and was very popular during the war in the churches and among the soldiers. 
He settled in West Fairleein 1779. and from 1784 was exceedingly prominent in Vermont affairs. 
He was a member of the Council in 1785, 1789 and 1790 and was elected in 1786 and 1787 but 
declined , and was a member of the third Council of Censors in 1 799, and Speaker of the Vermont 
House of Representatives in 1784, six times Presidential elector, judge of the Vermont Supreme 
Court, 1784-87, and was elected in 1791 but declined. He was also member of Congress from 
the admission of Vermont in 1791 to 1795. He died October 31, 1828, aged 87. Jefferson 
declared him the ablest man he ever knew. "He was (says Professor S. G. Brown) a school- 
mate of the Elder Adams whom he loved his life long, and mainly it would seem because at 
school John Adams was the terror of the big bad boys, who in his absence would oppress the 
little ones — a follower of Jefferson in politics (yet practically rather conservative) , and of Calvin 
in theology (yet apparently sometimes verging toward his opponent) — an acute metaphysician, 
a little inclined to the opposite side — half author with Dr. Burton of the 'taste scheme' so 
called, yet walking independently and not precisely agreeing with his sharp minded friend — a 
great reader, keeping up remarkably with the progress of science, and renewing in his old age his 
knowledge of Latin — a shrewd judge and an indefatigable opponent." Brown's Alumni Ad- 
dress, 1855. See Vt. Gov. and Council III, 76. 

Thomas W. Thompson [the W. was adopted in 1807] was born in Boston, Mass., March 10, 
1766. His father, Thomas, a native of England, and his mother of Glasgow, moved to New- 
buryport, Mass., when the son was quite young. He prepared for college at Dummer Academy, 
was graduated at Harv'ard College, 1786, and studied theolog\'. He was tutor at Harvard, 
1789; aide to General Lincoln in the Shay's rebellion; read law with Chief Justice Theophilus 
Parsons at Newburyport and in 1791 settled near the South Meeting House in Salisbury, N. H. 
After 1792 he lived near the Webster place in what is now Franklin. Daniel Webster studied 
law with him there. He was member of Congress, 1805-07, and removed to Concord, 1809; 
Treasurer of New Hampshire, 1810; Speaker New Hampshire House of Representatives, 1813- 
14; United States Senator, 1814-17. "He was an accomplished gentleman, distinguished for 
the dignity and urbanity of his manners, for integrity and piety." His wife was a daughter of 
Colonel Asa Porter of Haverhill, and sister to the wife of Mills Olcott. He died October 10, 
i82i,agedsS,ofconsumptioncontractedunderthefollowingcircumstances: In August, 1819. 
he set out on a journey to Quebec, via Burlington. The steamboat Phoenix on which he em- 
barked took fire in the night and the crew and passengers escaped in two small boats. Mr. 
Thompson awaked from sleep just as the last boat was quitting the vessel, and jumped in as it 
was putting off, loaded to the point of sinking. He was the last person to escape. From the 
shock and exposure he never recovered. Bouton's History of Concord, p. 718; Farmer and 
Moore's Hist. Coll. Ill, 238. 

Stephen Jacob, son of Richard, born in Sheffield, Mass., 1756, entered Dartmouth College 
but was transferred in I77S to Yale, where he was graduated in 1778, and settled as a lawyer in 

62 




V^OyyT^ /U^ 



t^tr-CAJ^U^ 



1815-1820.] The College and the University 63 

John Wheelock, President, chosen 1779. 
Nathaniel Niles of Fairlee, Vt., chosen 1793. 
Thomas W. Thompson of SaHsbury, N. H., chosen 1801. 
Stephen Jacob of Windsor, Vt., chosen 1802. 
Timothy Farrar of New Ipswich, N. H., chosen 1804. 
EHjah Paine of Williamstown, Vt., chosen 1806. 
John Taylor Gilman of Exeter, N. H., chosen 1807. 
Charles Marsh of Woodstock, Vt., chosen 1809. 
Rev. Asa McFarland of Concord, N. H., chosen 1809. 
Rev. John Smith of Salem, N. H., chosen 181 1. 
Rev. Seth Pay son of Rindge, N. H., chosen 18 13. 

The College was no less fortunate in the character of its Faculty 
of three professors, reduced in August of that year to two by the 
acceptance, by Professor Moore, of the presidency of Williams 
College. Professors Shurtleff and Adams were both eminently 
qualified by talents and learning and by an indomitable spirit 
to sustain the responsibilities about to be cast upon them. We 
have the best of authority for saying that hesitancy on their 
part at the outset of the contest with the State would have 
determined the Trustees to surrender. 

Windsor, Vt. He first appeared in Vermont records as poet at the Bennington Celebration in 
1778. In 1781 and at other times he represented Windsor in the General Assembly. He was 
a member of the first Council of Censors, in 178s. commissioner to treat with New York, 1789, 
councillor, 1796 to 1802, and chief judge of Windsor County, 1797 to 1801. He died February, 
1817, aged 61. Vt. Gov. and Council IV, 106. 

Timothy Farrar, born July 11, 1747, at Concord, Mass., was graduated at Harvard College, 
1767. and settled at New Ipswich, N. H. He carried a musket to Concord, Mass., April 19, 
1775- When 28 years of age he was made associate justice of the Common Pleas in Hillsboro 
County, and served till 1791. From March, 1791. to January, 1803, he was associate justice 
of the Supreme Court. In 1802 he was appointed chief justice, but declined. He died Feb- 
ruary 21, 1849, aged 102. Farrar Family Memoirs; N. E. Hist. Gen. Reg. VI, 318. 

Elijah Paine, born in Brooklyn, Ct., January 21, I7S7, was graduated at Harvard College, 
1781. He was the first President of the Harvard chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, and pronounced 
its first anniversary oration. He then studied law, but in 1784 settled as a farmer in Windsor, 
Vt., whence he shortly removed to a large farm in Williamstown, Vt. He became at once 
prominent in public affairs. He was a member of the General Assembly of Vermont, 1787 to 
1791, commissioner to treat with New York, 1789, a member of the Council Censors, 1792, 
judge of the Supreme Court, 1791-93. United States Senator, 1795 to 1801, and then, till his 
death. United States district judge for Vermont, by appointment of President Adams in 1801. 
He died April 28, 1842, aged 85. He was an active Christian, and noted to an extraordinary 
degree for high-toned integrity. In personal stature he was a giant, with a frame of iron. 
His voice was clear and audible at a distance of three quarters of a mile. Brown's Alumni 
Address, 1855, p. 23; Vt. Gov. and Council, IV, 433. 

John Taylor Gilman, son of Nicholas Gilman, the early treasurer of New Hampshire, was 
born at Exeter, December 19. I7S3. and resided there all his life. He marched with the minute 
men to Cambridge in I77S. He was member of Congress, 1782; state treasurer, 1783-1791; 
one of the commissioners appointed by the Continental Congress to settle the accounts of the 
States, 1780, and governor of New Hampshire by annual election from 1794 to 180S, and from 
1813 to 1816. He died September i, 1828, aged 74. 

Charles Marsh, son of Lieut. -Governor Marsh of Hartford, Vt., was born at Lebanon, Ct., 
July 10, 1765, and brought by his father to Hartford in 1774. He was graduated at Dart- 



64 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

The first public hint of the approaching troubles appeared in the 
Boston Repertory of April 26. It was stated that in consequence 
of some "difficulties of a serious and unpleasant nature" a 
vacancy in the presidency of the College was expected soon to 
occur and that the friends of the College were already looking 
about for a successor. Dr. Dana of Newburyport, Dr. Parish of 
By field, Dr. Worcester of Salem, and Professor ShurtlefT were 
mentioned as candidates. The Dartmouth Gazette of May 3 
characterized this as a "gross and infamous misrepresentation," 
and asserted that "there never was a time in the history of the 
College when more unanimity prevailed among instructors and 
students or when the affairs of the Institution were conducted 
with more ability or gave more general satisfaction." 

About two weeks later, matters were unexpectedly precipitated 
before the public by an anonymous pamphlet of 88 pages, widely 
and gratuitously circulated, entitled Sketches of the History of 
Dartmouth College and Moor's Charity School. It was speedily 
followed, or accompanied, by a smaller pamphlet of 32 pages, 
also anonymous, purporting to be A Candid and Analytical 
Review of the Sketches. The two pamphlets were animated 
with a common spirit of bitter hostility to the majority of the 
Board of Trustees, and were evidently directed to a common 

mouth College, 1786, studied law with Hon. Tapping Reeve at Litchfield, Ct.. and was there 
admitted to the bar. He settled at Woodstock, Vt., in the fall of 1788, and was admitted to 
the Vermont bar by special act of the General Assembly. He was appointed by Washington 
the first United States attorney for Vermont, in 1797- He was member of Congress 1815-1817. 
For nearly half a century he stood at the head of the bar in his state. He declined in 1813 the 
appointment of chief justice. He was own cousin to Jeremiah Mason, being three years his 
senior, and much like him in mental and professional traits. He was equally distinguished in 
philanthropy as in law, having official connection with several important missionary and 
philanthropic societies. He died January 11, 1849, aged 83. See Memorial Address to Ver- 
mont Historical Society by James Barrett, 1870; Life of George P. Marsh, Vol. L 

Rev. Asa McFarland, D. D., was born in Worcester, Mass., April 19, 1769; was graduated 
from Dartmouth College, 1793; was pastor of First Congregational church at Concord, N. H. 
from 1798 to 1824. He died February 18, 1827, aged 57- 

Rev. John Smith, D. D., the son of Joseph and Eunice Smith, was born in Belchertown, Mass., 
March 5, 1766. Graduating from Dartmouth in 1794 he studied divinity under Dr. Emmons 
and was settled in the ministry at Salem, N. H., January 2, 1797. where he remained till 1816. 
Removing to Wenham, Mass., he left there in 1819 to become Professor of Systematic Theology 
at Bangor Seminary, a position which he held till his death, April 14, 1831- He stammered 
slightly in his delivery, which was not effective, but as a teacher he impressed himself to an 
extraordinary degree upon his pupils. Sprague's Annals of the Am. Pulpit, H, 389f- 

Seth Payson, the son of Rev. Phillips and Grata Payson, was born in Walpole, Mass., Sep- 
tember, 29, 1758. He was graduated from Harvard College in i777, and studying theology 
was settled at Rindge. N. H.. where he remained till his death February 26, 1820. He received 
the degree of D. D. from Dartmouth in 1809. He was a man of "sharp and vigorous intellect, 
lively imagination and highly retentive memory." His style of preaching was "solemn and 
impressive, didactic and argumentative rather than hortatory and pathetic." He served three 
terms in the State Senate from 1802 to 1805. He published occasional sermons and a small 
volume entitled "Proofs of the Existence and Dangerous Tendency of Modern niuminism." 
Sprague's Annals, II, aogf. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 65 

purpose. This was, indeed, tacitly admitted by the publication 
of a part of the edition with both pamphlets in one cover. It 
was avowed in the opening of the Sketches that the facts with 
which it dealt were furnished by President Wheelock, and the 
spirit and style pointed unmistakably to him as the actual author. 
The Review, in some respects still more savage in its tone, was 
ascribed, to the President's friend Rev. Elijah Parish of Byfield, 
Mass. It was ascertained that the pamphlets were printed in 
Newburyport under Dr. Parish's supervision, and neither he nor 
the President ever denied their share in the authorship. It was 
afterwards expressly admitted, so far as the President was con- 
cerned, by his son-in-law and biographer and also appears by 
his private correspondence. The newspapers took the matter up, 
led off by the Patriot in its issue of May 23d, whose editor, Mr. 
Isaac Hill, with his usual violence, espoused from the start the 
cause of Wheelock, mainly upon the ostensible theory that the 
trouble grew out of theological differences wherein the Trustees 
were bigots, and the President liberal; but really, of course, for 
the sake of the political capital that might be made of it. The 
controversy accordingly took shape as a political issue. It led, 
as usual in politics, forthwith, to strange partnerships. 

President Wheelock, himself, and his immediate firiends, as 
well as all of his opponents in the Board, save one, were federalists 
of the old school, and some of them of great prominence in their 
party, while Judge Niles, whom the President viewed with 
unmitigated rancor as the leader of his foes, was equally prom- 
inent as a Democrat. Governor Gilman had just gained his 
fourteenth and last election by the narrow Federal majority of 
320 votes, in a total of 36,194. Even a less sagacious leader than 
Isaac Hill could not fail to perceive the polictical advantage 
likely in these circumstances to flow from an espousal of a cause 
that promised so fairly to divide his adversaries, expecially when 
it would harmonize so well with the characteristic jealousy of his 
party towards close corporations like that of the College and 
perhaps with other ancient jealousies that lapse of years had 
not wholly extinguished. Wheelock and his supporters had no 
sympathy in general with democratic ideas, but, blind to all 
else, were ready to follow any party that would take up his 
quarrel. The promptness and virulence of the Patriot gave 
evidence of pre-arrangement. The Portsmouth Gazette joined 
in on the same side, while the Concord Gazette, the Portsmouth 
Oracle, and the Dartmouth Gazette adhered to the side of the 



66 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

College. The Washingtonian, at Windsor, Vt., though Federal 
in politics, under the direction of Wheelock's staunch friend, 
Dunham, seconded the Patriot. 

But this was not all; in religious as well as in political faith 
the antecedents of Wheelock and of Hill and Plumer were as 
wide apart as the poles. The last two stood, above everything 
else, for the fullest freedom of religious thought and action, as 
opposed to the dominance of orthodoxy; while the starting 
point of Wheelock's complaints, as will be remembered, was the 
countenance given by the Trustees to those "who had dared to 
encroach on Presbyterian ground," and to subvert the ancient 
order of things. The absurdity of such a coalition on such an 
issue was apparent even to Wheelock himself, hence his efforts 
to shift the positions, by which, however, he gave the clearest 
evidence of the personal character of his motives, and sealed the 
alienation of substantially the entire body of the clergy. 

Sentiment among the people was not divided in this matter by 
party lines nearly as sharply as it came to be in the legislature. 
A considerable number of Federalists clung to Wheelock's for- 
tunes and for his sake joined with the Democrats; while on the 
other hand the ranks of the latter furnished some strong friends 
to the College. Many in both parties, who were at first inclined 
to sympathize with Wheelock under the belief that he had 
been injured, when they came to understand the situation trans- 
ferred their sympathy to the College. Governor Oilman himself 
must be counted of this number. 

On the whole, however, in the course of a year the College 
question came to be, with that of the judiciary, the chief political 
issue in the State, and party lines in the leigslature of 1816 were 
drawn upon both with equal strictness. But in 1815 the legis- 
lature was still in the control of the Federalists. Governor 
Gilman, not yet left behind by the violence of the Wheelock 
party, was undoubtedly at this time on their side. Care had 
been used through Mr. Hill and others to place freely in the 
hands of the members of the legislature copies of the Sketches 
and its supplement the Review. The publication was adroitly 
timed so as to preclude any chance of meeting it in a similar 
fashion before the sitting of the General Court. 

On the assembling of the legislature in June, President Wheel- 
ock followed up the published attack with a memorial, reiterating 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 67 

his complaints in a general way, and soliciting the intervention 
of the legislature.^ 

But he now advanced a step farther and himself openly thrust 
his affair into the domain of politics, by artfully alleging, with 
all the emphasis of italics and capitals, the object of his opponents 
to be," to strengthen the interest of a party or sect, which by 
extending its influence under the fairest professions, will eventually 
affect the political independence oj the people, and move the 
SPRINGS OF THEIR GOVERNMENT," as arrant a piece of dema- 
goguery as ever was penned. 

The memorial was referred on the loth of June, to a joint 
special committee of ten on the part of the House and two from 
the Senate.* 

The President being in attendance was heard before them at 
considerable length, but entirely ex parte. Admitting himself 
to be in religious belief a Calvinist, according to the Westminster 
Confession, he yet managed to impress upon the committee that 
he stood for tolerance and liberality against the Trustees who 
were striving to establish the College in a still more rigid, "Hop- 
kinsian," system. His object was to obtain an enlargement of 
the Board in order to drown out that supposed spirit, and put 
him once more in control. He was reported as intimating in 
conversation to some of the members, that unless he could have 
six added to the Board he should inevitably resign, but that if he 
should be supported he had it in contemplation to give a large 
part of his estate to the College. 

The Trustees having had no notice and no way of getting 
together in legal session in time to act, were not officially repre- 
sented, and no one had authority to speak for them. But those 
of their number living near took unofficially such action as seemed 
indispensable. They caused a brief appeal, dated June 11, to 
be inserted in the Concord Gazette, alluding to the pamphlets as 
calculated to inflame and mislead the pulic mind; and urged 
that the public should suspend judgment " until a plain statement 
of facts accompanied with the proper evidence appear, which 
[said they] will be published within a reasonable time. And as 
those pamphlets may produce an impression that the College is 

I See Appendix A. 

' The committee consisted of Messrs. Josiah Butler of Deerfield, Joseph Tilton of Exeter, 
T. W. Hale of Harrington, Richard Odell of Conway, Saml. Batchelder of New Ipswich, D. L, 
Moody of Goflstown, P. Henderson of Chesterfield, Benj. Prescott of Jaffrey, James Poole of 
Hanover, and A. N. Brackett of Lancaster on the part of the House, and Levi Jackson and 
Erekiel Webster on the part of the Senate. H. J., 29; S. J., 29. 



68 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

not in a prosperous situation, they deem it their duty to state 
that in their opinion the College never has been, since its founda- 
tion, in a more prosperous condition as it respects science, morality 
religion, internal order and funds than it was at the moment 
those publications appeared. As this is a subject of public 
concern the editors of newspapers in this state, Massachusetts 
and Vermont, who are so disposed, will please to give this notice 
in their respective papers." 

The joint committee brought in, on June 23, a recommendation 
for the appointment by the Governor and Council of a Commis- 
sion to visit the College between sessions and examine and report. 
The proposition in this shape was at first accepted in the House 
by a vote of 123 to 56; but on the afternoon of the 27th was 
replaced with a resolution whereby both Houses, without a 
division, upon the nomination of a special committee appointed 
in the forenoon of the same day, elected^ Hon. Daniel A. White 
of Newburyport, Hon. Nathaniel A. Haven of Portsmouth, and 
Rev. Ephraim P. Bradford of New Boston, none of them mem- 
bers of the legislature, as a "Committee to investigate the con- 
cerns of Dartmouth College and Moor's Charity School generally, 
and the acts and proceedings of the Trustees, and to report a 
statement of facts at the next session." The first and second 
of these gentlemen were liberal in religious views, and the third 
was a Presbyterian clergyman. President Wheelock expressed 
his satisfaction with the Committee in a letter to Mr. Allen, 
saying that he was assured "that there could not be better 
men found in New England for the purpose assigned them." 

This action was not deemed necessarily hostile to the College. 
The legislative committees were largely composed of its friends, 
and they had a voice in the selection of the visiting board. Of 
the Trustees present Judge Niles favored the measure, though 
against the judgment of others. It was said that but for him no 
committee would have been sent out.* It was, doubtless, ex- 
pected that in the course of a year animosities might subside 
and the matter grow cold. 

The legislature adjourned June 29 for a year. On August 2 the 
Committee sent to President Wheelock by mail a letter, which 
he received on the 5th, appointing a hearing at Hanover to be 
held on Wednesday, August 16. He loudly complained of the 
shortness of the notice ; asserted that he was left to learn of the 
appointment by accident; also, verly likely with truth, that the 

» H. J., 134, 144. » Marsh to Brown, April 13. 1816. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 69 

date had been fixed in advance by arrangement with his oppo- 
nents; and, which is unlikely, that it had been purposely concealed 
from him so as to take him unawares. An incident of the affair, 
that took on some consequence, was a misunderstanding between 
the President and Daniel Webster. Wheelock had some months 
before intimated through a friend to Webster that in case he 
should institute proceedings, which he contemplated, for the 
recovery of money that he claimed to be due to him from the 
College, and also to determine whether there had been a perver- 
sion of the Phillips fund, he would be glad of Webster's assistance 
as his legal adviser. While at Concord in June he had personally 
suggested to Webster in general terms that he might wish for 
his professional assistance on some future occasion, which Web- 
ster readily promised. 

On being notified of the coming of the Committee he wrote to 
Webster August 5, enclosing $20, and desiring him to come at 
once to Hanover and undertake the management of this matter 
on his behalf before the Committee.^ The letter was delayed so 
that Webster did not receive it in time to reply before the meeting. 
He had besides no wish to appear in the existing state of affairs 
nor in a capacity which he regarded as not professional. But, 
with a negligence not unusual with him, he made no immediate 
reply, so that Wheelock was left, without explanation, to his own 
resources, with such council as could be got in the neighborhood, 
Hon. Jonathan H. Hubbard, one of the judges of the Superior 
Court of Vermont, and Mr. Josiah Dunham of Windsor. Right 
upon this came the publication of a confidential letter, obtained, 
as was supposed, through the violation of a seal in the Hanover 
postofifice, written by Mr. Thompson to Professor Adams, in 
which Webster's name was mentioned in a manner not calculated 
to allay Wheelock's suspicions. Mr. Thompson's letter was, 
early in September, given to the public by Dunham in the columns 
of the Boston Repertory, and furnished occasion for no end of 
bitterness. The prominence it acquired makes it necessary to 
exhibit it here: 

I have had a long conversation with Mr. D. W., by which it appears, that 
a strong desire prevails, that the Reply, with the Committee's Report, should 

> Letter in possession of the College. Also the Dartmouth College Cases, by John M. Shirley 
p. 88. This book, to which reference will be often made, is an elaborate discussion of the above 
Cases. Though lacking orderly arrangement, and betraying a strong bias against the College 
in the controversy, and drawing some unwarrantable conclusions from distorted facts, it is 
crammed with learning and information, and I am happy to acknowledge my considerable 
indebtedness to Mr. Shirley's labors. F. C. 



70 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

eflfectually put down a certain man. Mr. W., Dr. McFarland and I are very 
desirous that affidavits should be immediately taken, relative to such facts 
as will show that person's character in a just point of view. I can't name all 
the points to which the testimony should be directed ; but you and our friends 
must hold a conversation and select such points as will be productive of the 
greatest effect. Full and satisfactory testimony should be taken relative to 
the usury, and particularly Mr. Kellogg's deposition. 

It will be very useful to obtain testimony (or documents, if practicable) 
to show that the college had to pay Col. Kinsman $ — , in consequence of the 
executive neglecting to enforce the laws and orders of the trustees. Testimony 
should be had of every trick, contrivance and management of his to show his 
true character. 

On the part of our friends at Hanover, great, unceasing, and systematic 
efforts should be made to collect evidence. It is impossible for the trustees 
to collect it but through our friends. The expense must be clubbed amongst 
us. 

I intend, if possible, to collect testimony here, to show that with the demo- 
crats he was a democrat — with every sect of religionists he was one of them — 
with federalists he was a federalist, and thus he descended to base means to 
make influence. 

I have a scrap of an envelope of the communication to the Repertory, which 
will show the handwriting. I wish not to communicate my suspicions, until 
I exhibit at the commencement. I can say this much, I think the writer is a 
president's man. Perhaps this ought not to be mentioned just yet. 

I shall depend much upon the exertions of our friends to procure evidence, 
and shall be much disappointed if it is not immediately and effectually 
attended to. 

Your friend, 

Tho. W. Thompson. 

No notice to the president will be necessary. 

Before the publication of this letter Mr. Dunham wrote Mr. 
Webster enclosing a copy of it and upbraiding him, on Wheelock's 
behalf, with characteristic ferocity, and elicited a reply of dignified 
explanation. Referring to the lateness of Wheelock's letter Mr. 
Webster wrote :^ 

If I had received it earlier, I could not have attended, because the court 
engaged me at home; and I ought to add here, that if I had no other engage- 
ments at the time, and had also been seasonably notified, I should have exer- 
cised my own discretion about undertaking to act a part before the committee 
at Hanover. I regard that as no professional call. , . . 

As to what you are pleased to say about my extricating myself from this 
affair, or of its being otherwise unpleasant to me, as also what you observe 
of a suspicion entertained by some that Mr. Thompson had employed me to feel 
of Mr. Haven on the subject, give me leave to say that I should know better 
how to answer these remarks if I were not writing to one for whom I have the 
highest and warmest esteem, and of whose sense of delicacy and propriety 
very few certainly at any time have had occasion to complain. 
» Webater'a Priv. Cor., I, 251. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 71 

I am not quite so fully convinced as you are, that the president is altogether 
right, and the trustees altogether wrong. 

On August 16, the Wednesday morning of the week preceding 
Commencement, the Committee met at Hanover at the home of 
the President and continued in session two days and a half. 
The Trustees, who were in attendance, expressed a wish that the 
hearing might be in the chapel or meeting house, "but the Com- 
mittee chose not to have it in a place so public," yet it was not 
held strictly in private. The first day was occupied by the Presi- 
dent and his friends in reading the resolve of the Board respecting 
the subjects of complaint, which he laid before the Committee 
in the following form as a "specification of charges against the 
Trustees of Dartmouth College," and comprising all the subjects 
to which he wished the attention of the committee.^ 

I. That the funds established in 1789 by Dr.. Phillips for the purpose of 
maintaining a professor of Theology have been diverted by the Trustees for 
objects different from the will of the donor, viz. for the purpose of paying for 
village preaching. 

I I . Separating the church founded in College, and blending the ecclesiastical 
concerns of the College with those of the neighboring people and clergy; thus 
subjecting this public institution to inconvenience and degradation, by means 
of private interference. 

III. That they have diverted the funds of the college for the support of 
Union Academy, and have placed the funds of this college at the disposal of 
that institution; granting to individuals, selected by and under the patronage 
and government of a body of men of a particular religious persuasion, special 
and exclusive advantages of education. 

IV. Expending the funds to an amount unnecessary and extravagant, com- 
pared with the sum total of instruction. 

V. Refusing to apply any of the funds, of which they have control, to the 
instruction of Indians. 

VI. Interfering with the power of the President, as granted by charter, 
in the education of the students, and also with his rights, as an executive 
officer. 

On Friday morning the Trustees who were present, Messrs. 
Marsh, Thompson, McFarland and Smith, placed before the 
Committee all the resolves of the Board respecting the Phillips 
fund from its first establishment. By these it appeared that all 
the acts of which the President complained had been adopted, 
with his acquiescence, at a time when a majority of the Board were 
in his favor and disposed to accede to his wishes, and that no 
alteration had been made in the application of that fund since 
1809, when the majority of the Board turned against his policy. 

'Report of the Committee, p. 10 



72 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

The President was asked by Mr. Thompson and also by Mr. Marsh 
whether he had ever known of any difference in religious opinion 
between him and the Trustees, or between him and the professors 
whom the Trustees had chosen, and after some hesitation he 
replied that he "knew of no speculative difference in religious 
opinions," and admitted that there had never been in the Board 
any question about religious sentiments. 

Dr. Parish, who was present during the hearing as the friend 
and adviser of the President, remarked to one of the Trustees 
that he perceived the examination would be hurtful to Dr. 
Wheelock; and after it was over, asked what could be done to put 
an end to the controversy. Propositions were made on both 
sides, the Trustees insisting that the President should withdraw 
his charges, as having grown out of misunderstanding, and Dr. 
Parish with Capt. Dunham, who joined him in the negotiation, 
proposing on the part of the President simply a cessation of the 
controversy, and a withdrawal of the memorial provided the 
Trustees would appoint such Professor of Languages or of 
Rhetoric as the President should approve. It was found impos- 
sible to agree, and the matter was dropped, but it afterwards 
became the subject of dispute and recrimination between the 
parties to it, and added not a little to the heat of the contest, 
Mr. Dunham declaring that he and Dr. Parish had had no au- 
thority to agree to anything for the President, and that their 
object was only to draw out their opponents, for the purpose 
of sacrifice. The President desired an adjournment for further 
hearing, but the Committee thought it unnecessary and closed 
their labors on Saturday. 

On the following Tuesday, August 22, the Board convened for 
its annual meeting, and Commencement occurred on the next 
day. On Thursday, the 24th, this matter was brought to the 
surface in the Board by a resolution offered by Mr. Marsh as 
follows : 

Whereas since the last session of this board two certain anonymous pamphlets 
have been ushered into the world, one under the title of Sketches of the History 
oJ Dartmouth College, etc., the other entitled A Candid Analytical Review. 
And whereas there is reason to believe that some member of this board or 
officer of the College is the author of or has had some agency in the publication 
of said pamphlets, and whereas the said pamphlets contain many charges 
defamatory to the board and the individual members thereof and calculated 
to injure the reputation of this instit ution, and impair the usefulness thereof — 
therefore, Resolved that a committee of three be appointed by ballot to enquire 
into the origin of the said pamphlets and whether any member of this board 




^mJ-tu^ ^^^^^^^/^, 



^X^\^ 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 73 

or of the executive authority is the author of them or either of them or had any 
agency in the publication or in the distribution of them in the community. 

The resolution was adopted by eight votes, Messrs. Gilman 
and Jacob voting nay, and the President being absent. Messrs. 
Thompson, Paine and Payson were chosen as the Committee, 
and on the following day, August 25, presented their report: 

The committee appointed to enquire into the origin of the pamphlets 
entitled Sketches of the History of Dartmouth College, and A Candid Analytical 
Review etc., report that the nature of the case precludes the committee from 
obtaining positive evidence as to the author or authors of the said pamphlets, 
but evidence of a circumstantial kind has been obtained which leaves no room 
in the minds of your committee to doubt that President Wheelock was the 
principle, if not the sole, author of the pamphlet entitled Sketches etc., and 
that through his means both the pamphlets mentioned were published and 
circulated. 

Amongst other evidence in proof of the first point it appeared to your 
committee that President Wheelock when last at Concord last June and before 
the committee of the legislature, to whom was referred his memorial, treated 
the Sketches as a work entitled to the highest credit — that in the Sketches 
President Wheelock is alleged to have furnished the facts therein stated — that 
the Sketches have ever been treated in President Wheelock's hearing as his 
production and one for which he was responsible, without any disavowal on his 
part — that even his counsel at the hearing before the committee appointed to 
enquire into the state of affairs at Dartmouth College alluded to the Sketches 
as the President's book — and that there is a singular peculiarity of style com- 
mon to the Sketches and to the memorial presented to the legislature last June 
by President Wheelock, as well as to his eulogium on the late Doctor John 
Smith. 

In proof of President Wheelock's having been instrumental in publishing 
and circulating both said pamphlets your committee have obtained the follow- 
ing: Amongst other evidence that an anonymous letter in the hand writing of 
President Wheelock was in May or June last sent to Isaac Hill Editor of the 
New Hampshire Patriot, accompanied with a bundle of the said pamphlets in 
which letter the said Hill was requested to distribute them amongst the 
members of the legislature. 

Thomas W. Thompson, 

for the Committee. 

The President being absent a copy was sent to him by the hands 
of Messrs. Paine and Jacob with notice that the subject would 
be taken up at eight o'clock the next (Saturday) morning. He 
did not appear but sent in the following letter denying their 
jurisdiction: 

Dartmouth College, August 26, 1815. 
To the honorable board of Trustees of Dartmouth College: 

Gentlemen. — For six and thirty years my life has been devoted to raise 
and build up this Seminary, from the foundation which was laid by my venera- 



74 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap, X. 

ble father and predecessor. With my multiplied labors and successful under- 
takings through the different departments of the College and School, the 
world are acquainted. I am but a worm of the dust in the hand of the Sover- 
eign of the Universe and whatever use he has been pleased in infinite mercy 
to make of my feeble and imperfect faculties to promote the happiness of the 
present and succeeding ages, to him through the blessed Redeemer be all the 
praise and glory. 

Great was my consolation under divine Providence through the years of 
the most trying and distressing scenes of this institution in being associated 
in counsels and toils with beloved trustees and instructors. Great has been 
my regret that a spirit of opposition to me has been of late years forming till 
matured in a majority of your body. Greatly do I lament the course of events 
and that they have at length arisen to the present alarming crisis, ominous to 
the existence of this establishment and to the rights of humanity. 

Liable to human imperfections, my mind enjoys repose by a consciousness 
that through the course of my various exertions it has been my unremitted 
endeavor faithfully honestly and honorably to discharge my duties. With 
this impression, when within a few years the darts of calumny were hurled at 
my character and secretly and cautiously as it is said sustained. I have in 
times past repeatedly and at successive periods, in the most open and unquali- 
fied measure, desired any one to identify and bring forward any supposed 
facts with their evidences against me, in whatever way they pleased. As 
often have I desired your board or any member of the same to present any 
charge of whatever nature affecting my official or moral relations. But not- 
withstanding never was there even a single hint given by the board or any of its 
members in open meetings suggesting any thing reproachful in my conduct, nor 
anything unfavorable in my official proceedings, except one allusion of a mem- 
ber at the adjourned meeting in last November that some individuals of the 
Senior class were dissatisfied with my instructions, a clue to which remark has 
been as is supposed since discovered. Under these circumstances it appears 
singular and extraordinary that at this period charges against me should lie 
before the board, and you become ready to take up the same. Add to the 
foregoing considerations that the constitution of the civil government has made 
ample provision for the cognizance of such charges; that in the present alarm- 
ing state of party spirit, in which the leaders from appropriate motives have 
combined in one interest in common with the majority of the board, which has 
reduced this Seminary to the verge of ruin; that the spirit of this majority is 
hostile to me, and their minds in a degree irritated in the present posture of 
affairs, in which their views and feelings are wholly repugnant to my own, and 
finally considering the hon' legislature of the State have, for the public good, 
taken into their own hands to examine and regulate the concerns of the college 
and School, and to apply a remedy to the evils which ha ve arisen and to rectify 
whatever may be amiss, I conclude on serious reflection that it would be wholly 
improper and unbecoming to me to submit to any trial on charges now ex- 
hibited before your body. Not that I wish to avoid any enquiries. I shrink 
from no accusations that any may be disposed to bring against me. I am 
most sincerely disposed to meet them of whatever name or nature, before 
our hon" legislature, which as a Sovereign is the proper visitor and controller 
of this institution, or before any proper counsel or tribunal. But for these 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 75 

reasons given I hereby protest against the proceedings of your board, and 
utterly deny your right of jurisdiction in the present case. 

I am, etc. 

John Wheelock. 

What followed is best told in the language of the statement 
drafted by Mr. Thompson which was entered on the records by- 
order of the Board : 

On Saturday the 26th inst., having adjourned to two o'clock P.M., Judge 
Paine introduced the resolutions for the removal of the President from certain 
offices. The resolutions together with the preamble were read by the Secre- 
tary. It was soon moved and seconded that a committee of two be appointed 
to wait on the President with a copy of said resolutions and preamble which 
was accordingly done. A committee was accordingly appointed, and after- 
wards reported verbally that they had waited on the President and delivered 
him the copy of said resolutions and preamble. The board after sitting about 
an hour longer adjourned to six o'clock in the evening. Gov. Gilman had pre- 
viously informed the board that he should be under the necessity of leaving 
town in the stage on Monday morning (which was understood to start at 8 
o'clock) and Judge Paine likewise informed the board that he must be absent 
after this evening and might not be present when the vote should be taken. 
At six o'clock the board met, when they requested the committee appointed 
to present the President with a copy of the said resolutions to wait on him again 
and enquire of him if he had any communication to make on the subject . The 
committee made return that they had waited on the President and delivered 
the message, and that the President replied it was a business of great conse- 
quence to him — that he could have wished for a longer time — but the board 
could do as they pleased. The committee further reported verbally that they 
-enquired of the President how long time he wished, who replied he could not 
name any time. Gov. Gilman was then verbally requested to wait on the 
President and inform him that the board were disposed to adjourn until Mon- 
day or Tuesday if he wished for time to make any communication on the sub- 
ject. Gov. Gilman afterwards reported verbally that he had waited on the 
President to ask him if he had any reply to make to the resolutions before the 
board respecting the removal and that the President had informed him he 
should not have sufficient time and that the board could proceed as they 
should think proper. The question was then moved and called for. It was 
then moved that the deposition of the Rev. Mr. Merrill of Middlebury be 
read, which was done. No member of the board called in question the truth 
of any reason stated in the preamble. The final question was then taken, 
and the protest of Gov. Gilman and Judge Jacob was then read, before the 
protest was read an alteration was made in it respecting the reading of Mr. 
Merrill's deposition. 

The Board adjourned to Monday morning at 6 o'clock A.M. 
The resolutions of removal drawn by Judge Paine were as 
follows : 



76 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

Cases sometimes occur when it becomes expedient that corporate bodies, 
whatever confidence they may feel respecting the rectitude and propriety of 
their own measures should explain the grounds of them to the public. Such 
an explanation becomes peculiarly important when the concerns committed 
to their care are dependent on public opinion for their prosperity and success. 
Into such a situation the Trustees of Dartmouth College consider themselves 
now brought. Under a sense of duty they have already cheerfully submitted 
their past acts to the inspection of a committee of the legislature of the State, 
and from a similar view of that duty they now proceed to state the reasons 
that lead them to withdraw their further assent to the nomination and appoint- 
ment of Doctor John Wheelock to the Presidency of Dartmouth College. 

First he has had an agency in publishing and circulating a certain anonymous 
pamphlet entitled Sketches of the History of Dartmouth College and Moor's 
Charity School, and espoused the charges therein contained before a committee 
of the legislature. Whatever might be our view of the principles which had 
gained an ascendency in the mind of President Wheelock, we could not without 
the most undeniable evidence have believed that he could have communicated 
sentiments so entirely repugnant to truth, or that any person who was not 
as destitute of discernment as of integrity would have charged on a public body 
as a crime, those things which notoriously received his unqualified concurrence, 
and some of which were done by his special recommendation. The Trustees 
consider the above mentioned publication as a gross and unprovoked libel on 
the Institution; and the said Dr. Wheelock neglects to take any measures to 
repair an injury which is directly aimed at its reputation, and calculated to 
destroy its usefulness. 

Secondly, He has set up and insists on claims which the charter by no fair 
construction does allow — claims which in their operation would deprive the 
corporation of all its powers. He claims a right to exercise the whole Executive 
authority of the college, which the charter has expressly committed to "the 
Trustees with the President, Tutors and Professors by them appointed." He 
also seems to claim a right to control the corporation in the appointment of 
Executive officers, inasmuch as he has reproached them with great severity for 
choosing men who do not in all respects meet his wishes, and thereby embar- 
rasses the proceedings of the Board. 

Thirdly, From a variety of circumstances the Trustees have had reason ta 
conclude that he has embarrassed the proceedings of the Executive officers, 
by causing an impression to be made on the minds of such students as have 
fallen under censure for transgressions of the laws of the institution, that if 
he could have had his will they would not have suffered disgrace or punish- 
ment. 

Fourthly, The Trustees have obtained satisfactory evidence that Dr. Wheel- 
ock has been guilty of manifest fraud in the application of the funds of Moor's 
School, by taking a youth who was not an Indian, but adopted by an Indian 
tribe under an Indian name, and supporting him on the Scotch fund which is 
granted for the sole purpose of instructing and civilizing Indians. 

Fifthly, It is manifest to the Trustees that Dr. Wheelock has in various ways 
given rise and circulation to a report that the real cause of the dissatisfaction 
of the Trustees with him was a diversity of religious opinions between him and 
them, when in truth and in fact no such diversity was known or is now known 



£815-1820.] The College and the University. 77 

to exist, as he has publicly acknowledged before the committee of the legisla- 
ture appointed to investigate the aflfairs of the College. 

The Trustees adopt this solemn measure from a full conviction that the cause 
of truth, the interest of this institution, and of science in general, require it. 
It is from a deep conviction that the College can no longer prosper under his 
Presidency. They would gladly have avoided this painful crisis. From a 
respect to the honored father of Dr. Wheelock the founder of this institution, 
they had hoped that they might have continued him in the Presidency as long 
as he was competent to discharge its duties. 

They feel that this measure cannot be construed into any disrespect to the 
legislature of New Hampshire, whose sole object in the appointment of a com- 
mittee to investigate the affairs of the College must have been to ascertain if 
the Trustees had forfeited their charter, and not whether they had exercised 
their charter powers discreetly or indiscreetly — not whether they had treated 
either of the executive officers of the College with propriety or impropriety. 
They will ever submit to the authority of law. The legislature have appointed 
a committee to examine the concerns of the College and the School generally, 
the Trustees met that committee with promptitude, and frankly exhibited 
every measure of theirs which had been a subject of complaint, and all the 
concerns of the institution as far as their knowledge and means would permit. 
They wish to have their acts made as public as possible. The Committee of 
the legislature will report the facts, and the Trustees will cheerfully meet the 
issue before any tribunal competent to try them, according to the principles 
of their charter. 

They consider this crisis as a severe trial to the institution, but they believe 
that in order to entertain a hope that it will flourish and be useful, they must 
be faithful to their trust, — that they must not approve of an officer who labors 
to destroy its reputation, and embarrass its internal concerns. They will yet 
hope that under the smiles of Divine Providence this institution will continue 
to flourish, and be a great blessing to generations to come. 

Therefore Resolved that the appointment of Dr. John Wheelock to the presi- 
dency of this college by the last will of the Rev. Eleazar Wheelock the 
founder and first President of this College be and the same is hereby, by the 
trustees of said College, disapproved, and it is further Resolved that the said 
Dr. John Wheelock for the reason aforesaid, be and he is hereby displaced 
and removed from the office of President of said College. 

Then followed resolutions removing him from his offices as 
Trustee, and as Professor of History. To all these resolutions 
Messrs. Oilman and Jacob filed a formal protest: 

The undersigned members of the board of Trustees of Dartmouth College 
having given their votes against the resolutions for removing the Honorable 
John Wheelock from the office of President of Dartmouth College, and from 
the offices of a trustee and professor of history, considering the great impor- 
tance of the measure, and its probable consequences cannot content them- 
selves with giving only their votes, but make the following protest against 
the same which they request may according to general usage be placed upon 
the records. 

First, We doubt the authority of the board for removal in this case, the said 



78 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

John Wheelock having been duly appointed as President by the will of his 
father, and there having been an acquiescence and approval of the same by 
the board for about thirty six years; and we are of opinion that if cause for 
removal were supposed to exist, the subject ought to be considered by some 
other Tribunal. 

Secondly, Whatever evidence might exist in the minds of the framers of the 
resolutions in proof of the allegations contained in the preamble, no evidence 
was laid before the board respecting the same nor any paper whatever relative 
thereto, not even respecting the serious charge of "a manifest fraud in the 
application of the funds of Moor's School" [excepting a deposition signed 
Thomas A. Merrill, sworn to on the 24th instant and laid before the board this 
evening, relative to the last article.] For these and other reasons which for 
want of time we have it not in our power to specify particularly, we enter our 
solemn protest against the adoption of the said preamble and resolutions. 

J. T. Oilman, 
Stephen Jacob. 
Dartmouth College 
Saturday evening 
August 26, 1815. 

- On Monday morning Rev. Francis Brown of Yarmouth, Me.,; 
was unanimously elected President, and a further adjournment 
had until September 26. It was charged (probably with truth) 
that conference had been had with Mr. Brown in anticipation of 
the event. President Wheelock wrote immediately to Mr. Brown 
notice of his contention that the action of the Trustees was illegal 
and inoperative. The question of Mr. Brown's acceptance was 
submitted to an ecclesiastical council at Yarmouth, which advised 
it, and on September 27 at two o'clock in the afternoon he was 
duly installed with appropriate ceremonies.* 

By this prompt and decisive action of the Board, as may well 
be conceived, the excitement was intensified to the last degree. 
The actual and speedy result would seem to have been a surprise 
to the President and to the public. Something of the kind had 
indeed been naturally anticipated, but many firm friends of the 
College deprecated it as too hasty, and as likely to create addi- 
tional prejudice and injure the cause of the College before the 
public and the legislature. 

Mr. Jeremiah Mason gave expression to this feeling in a long 

» The exercises were as follows: i. Sacred music; 2, Prayer by Rev. Dr. McFarland; 3, Music;. 
4, Discourse by Rev. Dr. McFarland ; s , The ceremony of induction consisting of a short address 
in Latin by Rev. Dr. Payson, acting president of the Board, signifying the appointment of Mr- 
Brown and requesting his acceptance, to which Mr. Brown assented. Then the charter was 
delivered to him and he was declared President; 6, Inaugural address; 7. Prayer by Rev. Dr. 
Payson. — Portsmouth Oracle, October 7,1815- President Brown's inaugural was in Latin; and 
portions of it were written at the taverns on bis way to Hanover. S. G. Brown's Address to the- 
Alumni, 1855. P- 62. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 79 

and earnest letter to Mr. Marsh. Under date of the 15th of 
August he wrote :^ 

. . . From certain intimations which I have lately had, I am led to be- 
lieve an intention is entertained by some members of the Board of ending all 
difficulty with the president by removing him from office. I greatly fear 
such a measure adopted under present circumstances, and, at the present 
time, would have a very unhappy effect upon the public mind. An inquiry is 
now pending, instituted after considerable discussion, by the Legislature of 
this State apparently for the purpose of granting relief for the subject mat- 
ter of complaint. The Trustees acquiesce in this inquiry; whether they 
appear before the committee appointed to make it formally as a body, or 
informally as individuals, the public will not deem of much importance. 
. . . Should the Trustees, during the pendency of the inquiry in a cause 
in which they are supposed to be a party, take judgment into their own 
hands, and summarily end the dispute by destroying the other party, they 
will offend and irritate at least all those who were in favor of making the 
inquiry. Such will not be satisfied with the answer that the Trustees have 
the power and feel it to be their duty to exercise it. It will be said that the 
reasons which justify a removal (if there be any) have existed for a long time. 
A removal after so long a forbearance, at the present time, will be attributed 
to recent irritations. . . . 

I see no danger in delay, but fear much in too great haste. Perhaps there is 
no occasion at present to determine how long the Trustees should delay adopt- 
ing their final course. Circumstances may render that expedient at a future 
time which is not now. I feel much confidence that a very decisive course 
against the president by the Trustees at the present time would create an 
unpleasant sensation in the public mind, and would, I fear, be attended with 
unpleasant consequences. 

But the crisis could not be avoided, though if what followed 
could have been then foreseen it is reasonable to doubt if the 
Trustees would have proceeded so quickly to extremities. They 
evidently underestimated the hostile forces, and failed correctly 
to interpret the signs on the political horizon. They certainly 
had reason to believe that the report of the legislative committee, 
though confined to a statement of facts, would be not unfavorable 
to them ; and undoubtedly expected in the existing state of parties 
to come out right with the legislature. But the accession of the 
Democrats to power before the committee could report put a 
different face upon the matter, and taking all into consideration 
one cannot now be sure that the Trustees did not pursue the 
wisest course. The possession of the presidency proved in the 
end their only salvation. It was the turning point of their for- 
tunes on several occasions. That alone rendered possible the 
contest they made against the power of the State, and it is not 

» Shirley, p. 94. 



8o History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

safe to assume that forbearance on their part would have pre- 
vented the hostile legislation. Certain it is that it would have 
been too late to act after the laws were passed. Indeed, the 
regret that then found expression among the Trustees was that 
they had not seasonably removed also their secretary and treas- 
urer, Judge Woodward, so as to preserve control of their records. 

That the Board did not exceed its powers was, notwithstanding 
the most vigorous outcry, at least tacitly admitted by the acquies- 
cence of all parties without any appeal to the courts, or any prac- 
tical opposition beyond the idle form of a protest ; even the hostile 
majority in the legislature raised no question upon that point, but 
gave to it the strongest affirmative support by recognizing Mr. 
Brown as legal President. 

Immediately after Commencement appeared the promised 
statement to the public, in the shape of a pamphlet of 104 pages, 
entitled A Vindication of the Official Conduct of the Trustees, 
signed by the eight members of the Board. It was an able 
presentation of the case, largely from the pen of Mr. Marsh, 
Wherever circulated it exerted a decided influence to relieve 
doubts and restore friendship, but it labored under the disadvan- 
tage of being sold at 25 cents a copy whereas the Sketches, being 
freely given away, enjoyed a much wider circulation.^ It was 
preceded some six weeks by a pamphlet of 62 pages written 
mainly by Benjamin J. Gilbert, Esq., entitled A True and Concise 
Narrative of the Origin and Progress of the Church Difficulties, etc., 
and prepared and issued by a Committee of the Congregational 
church specially appointed for the purpose. Among the articles 
with which the newspapers were deluged there appeared during 
the autumn in the columns of the Cojicord Gazette a series of four 
articles from the pen of Judge Niles, going over a part of the ground 
covered by the pamphlet, which were widely copied into other 
papers. There were also others by Dr. McFarland. On the 
other side Hill's Patriot continued to pour out denunciations and 
Captain Dunham in the winter favored the public with a pamphlet 
of 94 pages, an Answer to the Vindication, bright, keen and sar- 
castic, and at the same time peculiarly unfair and illogical. The 
pamphlet war closed with a Refutation, by Peyton R. Freeman, 
Esq., of Sundry Aspersions, that he discovered in the Vindication, 

'Samuel Woodbury, a lawyer of Portsmouth, writing to Professor Shurtleflf, December 9. 
18 IS, says that the Sketches, which had been freely distributed, had produced much effect in 
that section, and this effect was not counteracted by the Vindicalion/'as people are more willing 
to remain ignorant of the merits of a case than to purchase a 25 cent pamphlet," and that the 
"poison of the Sketches had full effect because the antidote was not applied in the same way." 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 81 

upon the memory of his father, Hon. Jonathan Freeman, then 
deceased. 

The course of political affairs seemed now to justify Mr. 
Mason's forecast. The newspapers which had declared for Whee- 
lock, led of course by the Patriot, redoubled their outcry, and 
advantage was taken of every circumstance to cast further odium 
on the Board and to present them in a position of antagonism 
and disrespect to the legislature. The village paper, the Gazette, 
still holding to the Board, another weekly paper was established 
at Hanover in the interest of Wheelock. It was styled the Ameri- 
can, and professed to be of Federal inclination yet impartial, truly 
American, in politics. Like its constituency, it became by the 
course of events virtually Democratic. It began February 4, 
1816, and stopped abruptly with the death of Wheelock in April, 
1817. 

The President's immediate friends entered actively into polit- 
ical combinations. It was understood that their emissaries 
went from town to town through the state to procure so far as 
possible the choice of members to the legislature who should be 
favorable to their cause. ^ Color was given to this allegation by 
an attempt of certain prominent Federalists of Hanover to ar- 
range a coalition with the Democrats in the nomination of a 
senator in the eleventh district. The Democratic convention 
met at Merrill's Tavern in Enfield January 24, and was adjourned 
two weeks in consequence of a statement by John Durkee of 
Hanover that Judge Woodward, Dr. Perkins, Col. Brewster, 
Col. Poole and Henry Hutchinson (all Hanover Federalists and 
stanch friends of Wheelock) had arranged with others of the 
same party for a caucus at Canaan January 30, and desired the 
Democrats to adjourn over with a view to uniting with them in 
the choice of a candidate. This statement, becoming public, 
raised a great flutter among these gentlemen; some of them 
strove to escape the charge by throwing doubt and discredit 
upon it, but Dr. Perkins manfully avowed it, with expressions 
of regret that the scheme "miscarried in consequence of the 
timidity and prudery of some of their own party. "^ The result 
was that three candidates were put into the field, Abiathar G. 
Britton by the Federalists in caucus at Haverhill, John Durkee 
by the Democrats, and Aaron Hutchinson of Lebanon for the 
W^heelock Federalists by the caucus at Mr. Dole's inn at Canaan, 
January 30, consisting of Federalists from twelve towns in the 

1 DartmotUh Gazette, February 14, 1816. « American, Februarj' 28, 1816. 

6 



82 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. x. 

district ; and there was no choice. The legislature proving Demo- 
cratic elected Mr. Durkee, who stood a faithful partisan of Pres- 
ident Wheelock. The vote in Hanover gave Britton 202, 
Hutchinson 59 and Durkee 122. For Governor the Federalists 
had 265, and the Democrats 124. Before the next election the 
Wheelock Federalists were fully incorporated into the Demo- 
cratic ranks. 

Mr. Durkee's attitude was not wholly determined by political 
considerations. While the inhabitants of the College district 
were with few exceptions opposed to Wheelock, he had many 
sympathizers in the other parts of the town. This difference 
arose in part from a traditional jealousy directed against the 
College district which continued nearly to the present time, but 
more from a diversity in religious views. Deists and Universal- 
ists were numerous and strong in district number seven, and in 
number five, where Mr. Durkee lived, they had for many years 
an incorporated society, with a library for the dissemination of 
their views. Their heaquarters were at the mill neighborhood, 
now called Etna. They controlled to a great extent the Demo- 
cratic party in the town, and were able, about 1830, to commit 
it in caucus to the expressed determination that no professor of 
religion should be elected to any town office. Mr. Durkee was 
a leader among them. He and they accepted Wheelock, in the 
light of his memorial and his own utterances as well as of those 
made by his organ, the Patriot, as their champion against the sup- 
posed orthodox bigotry of the Board. But this alliance brought 
in the end its own punishment, for the same reasons which drew 
the freethinkers to Wheelock's support served to confirm and 
intensify the opposition of the clergy, and of the classes naturally 
in sympathy with them and drew them all to the support of the 
College. If it had not been for the division among the Federal- 
ists in Grafton County, and the part which the so called Liberal 
Christians took in it, neither the College nor the State Judiciary 
could have been overturned. 

The course taken by Wheelock and his friends was exceedingly 
distasteful to Governor Gilman. He used every means in his 
power by letter and otherwise to dissuade them from it, and, 
failing, quietly withdrew his support. He was desirous to resign 
from the Board of Trust, but at the request of Mr. Thompson 
and others of the majority refrained from doing so until the con- 
troversy should be ended, "having reason to believe," as he after- 
wards avowed, "that he could thus best serve the interests of 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 83 

the College." He could not in honor, after what had passed, 
take his seat with the opposing trustees under President Brown, 
neither would he co-operate against them. Upon this circum- 
stance depended, as it proved, a result of the highest importance. 

In March of 18 16 Governor Plumer was elected by a majority 
of 2,269, both branches of the legislature were Democratic, and 
that party assumed the supremacy which with brief intervals 
it retained for forty years. Notwithstanding the narrow Federal 
majority of the previous year, and the confusion brought about 
by the College troubles, the result of the election was a surprise 
to the Federalists and to the friends of the College. By it the 
position of the latter was rendered doubly difficult. It was now 
certain that trouble must be expected at the coming session of 
the legislature, and they began to marshal their forces to meet 
it. Messrs. Marsh and Thompson were in attendance on Con- 
gress at Washington and Webster and Mason with them; Marsh 
and Webster in the House, and Mason and Thompson in the 
Senate. Marsh and Mason were cousins, Webster and Thomp- 
son shared the same lodgings. Though in hearty sympathy with 
the two trustees Webster was held back by the influence of the 
cooler and more cautious Mason to such a degree that the others 
were disposed at first to blame them both for lukewarmness. 
All were Federalists, and together with Jeremiah Smith, were, 
with the exception of Marsh who was a citizen of Vermont, the 
leaders of the Federal party in New Hampshire. It was inevit- 
able that they should stand shoulder to shoulder in this affair. 

Mr. Thompson wrote from Washington to President Brown, 
February 28, 1816: 

With respect to Governor Gilman's writing to Judge W. I have no doubt of 
the truth of it. The information has come here in various ways. We have 
been repeatedly assured from Exeter that Governor Gilman is making great 
exertions to check the erratic movements of his Hanover friends. 

When Mr. Marsh comes to this place I will consult with him respecting the 
thebest mode of enlisting Mr. Mason. If we could have him heartily engaged 
for us I am clearly of opinion with you he would be preferable to any other 
counsel under existing circumstances. 

The progress of events in New Hampshire never had so much interest in 
my view as at the present moment. Upon the result depends not only the 
security of our civil rights and enjoyment but the best hopes of the friends of 
literature and religion in relation to their diffusion through that state. 

Mr. Marsh also wrote from Washington to President Brown, 
April 4, 1816: 



84 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

After much conversation and patient waiting I now find that we can expect 
no assistance at the legislature from either of the gentlemen of whom we con- 
versed. It is probable however that we can have the professional aid of at 
least one of them in case we should be involved hereafter in a suit [at] law, and 
I think it may be of some consequence to us to secure such assistance. The 
unfortunate issue of the New Hampshire election renders it very difficult for 
us to determine what course it is best to pursue. We have sometimes doubts 
whether as the petition now pending before the legislature does not ask for 
specific relief, and as we are not made parties to it, it would be expedient for 
us to enter an appearance or make any defense, but on the whole we have 
concluded that even in the present state of parties it will not be duty to omit 
making a defense. In case any counsel is to be employed, and probably we 
should employ some one, we think that nothing better can be done than to 
employ Mr. Richardson. In case he should be applied to, the principal and 
perhaps the only real points to which his attention need be drawn is whether 
the legislature can interfere in any way to vacate the charter or change the 
number or powers of the trustees under it; and, second, whether, if this point 
be conceded, the conduct of the trustees has been such as to render such inter- 
ference either proper or expedient? That they may institute (as indeed they 
have done) an enquiry preparatory to some legal process, or pass any law 
which may be deemed necessary to give the Supreme Court jurisdiction or 
polntingoutthemodeof proceeding, cannot probably be denied with propriety. 

I feel much embrassment in writing, inasmuch as in your vicinity it is deemed 
no crime to violate a seal. 

A letter from Mr. Marsh to President Brown, April 13, 1816, 
protests against the appointment of Mr. Niles as the agent before 
the legislature, and even against any intimation that it is desirable 
that he should attend as an individual. 

I have found [he wrote] that because he is a Democrat and might therefore 
influence his own party some might deem it proper to appoint him. I believe 
thatif heistherehe will unwittingly compromise us just as far as he is empow- 
ered to do. He will have such confidence in his party that he will be likely 
to resign the charter expecting a better from such good men, or do some other 
act which will work our ruin. I believe that had it not been for him no com- 
mittee would have been appointed last session. I dare not trust the interests 
of the institution in his hands though I have entire confidence in his integrity. 

A special meeting was held in April and necessary arrange- 
ments made. 

The excitement did not subside as the time approached for 
the assembling of the General Court. Mr. Webster advised 
making an effort to soften the irritated feelings of the Democracy 
by encouraging the idea of a new college, a favorite one with 
some, in order to afford opportunity for the ill humors to work 
off. His plan was to procure some person, known to be favor- 
ably inclined to Wheelock, to propose, for the sake of peace, a 



1 8i 5-1820.] The College and the University. 85 

joint committee to report at the next session upon the expediency 
of estabHshing at Concord a "University of New Hampshire," 
to be governed by a self-perpetuating board of trustees, and by 
the chief officers of the State as overseers; and protected from 
any religious test.^ But the hostile spirit was now too much in 
earnest to be turned aside in that way. Governor Plumer, whose 
sympathies were drawn to Wheelock by various motives, not 
the least of which was the supposed liberal attitude of the latter 
in religious matters, ardently espoused his cause. In the 
Governor's address to the General Court June 6, attention was 
particularly called to the College charter, which, he said, "as it 
emanated from royalty contained, as was natural it should, prin- 
ciples congenial to monarchy. Among others it established trus- 
tees, made seven a quorum, and authorized a majority of those 
present to remove any of its members which they might consider 
unfit or incapable, and the survivors to perpetuate the board by 
themselves electing others to supply vacancies." "This last 
principle" he declared to be "hostile to the spirit and genius of a 
free government." The College, he truly said, was founded for 
the public good, not for the benefit or emolument of its trustees; 
and he entered into an argument of some length in support of an 
assertion that "the right to amend and improve acts of incorpora- 
tion of this nature had been exercised by all governments both 
monarchical and republican." This portion of the speech was on 
June 8 entrusted to a committee of fifteen^ (three from each 
county, counting Grafton and Coos as one) nominated by a pre- 
liminary committee chosen for the purpose on the 6th, the day 
when the address was received. To them was also referred the 
report of the visiting committee of the last session which came 
down to the House on the loth. The Wheelock party made such 
efforts as they could to explain it and oppose its printing, but it 
was ordered to be printed, together with the memorial which 
gave rise to it. This report was confined to a mere statement of 
facts touching the four heads of charges specified by Wheelock, 
and, while strictly impartial, was on the whole clearly favorable 
to the Trustees. 

On Tuesday, the i8th, the committee reported a bill, without 

'Webster's Priv. Cor., I, 259. 

« From the Senate, Durkee, Hanover, Vose, Atkinson and Harvey, Sullon; from the House, 
Tllton, Exeter, Parrott, Portsmouth, McClary, Epsom, Durell, Dover, Wentworth, Ossipee, 
Shepherd, Gilmanton, Claggett, Amherst, Bachelder, New Ipswich, Harvey, Hopkinton, Dwight, 
Westmoreland, Prescott, Jaffrey, Wood, Keene, Pettingill, Canaan, Poole, Hanover, Sawyer, 
Piermont. H. J. pp. 30, 45, 51. 52. 



86 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

waiting for the return of the visiting committee's report from the 
printer, Gen. Poole and others being heard to say that they 
intended to ignore it. But the indecency was too glaring and 
they were forced afterwards to notice it, but contented them- 
selves with reporting^ that difficulties in the College had been 
"aggravated if they did not originate from some radical defect 
in the charter. Whatever inferences therefore as to the conduct 
of the persons in dispute may be deduced from the report (which 
inferences all are enabled to make for themselves, all having the 
report) your committee apprehend the legislature are not called 
on to arbitrate in favor of either party provided the cause of the 
difficulties can without that invidious and unpleasant task be 
effectually removed. . . . Without criminating therefore 
the members or officers of the corporation for measures which 
have reached their present crisis if not originated from defects in 
the charter we conclude that the interests of the State do not 
require the legislature to act any further than by amending the 
charter." 

A bill was accordingly brought in that had been prepared by a 
sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. Poole, Claggett and Durell, 
essentially changing the character of the College. It was en- 
titled "An Act to amend, enlarge and improve the Corporation 
of Dartmouth College," and provided that the corporate name 
of the College should be changed from the "Trustees of Dart- 
mouth College" to the "Trustees of Dartmouth University," 
that the whole number of Trustees should not exceed twenty-one 
or be less than fourteen, at the discretion of the Governor and 
Council, of which two thirds were to form a quorum. No person 
except a resident of the state was eligible as a member, and all 
seats then held by non-residents were declared vacant. A Board 
of Overseers was established whose number was not to "exceed 
fifty nor be less than thirty." The President of the Senate was 
to be President of the Board and the Speaker of the House Vice- 
President ex-officio. The Governor and Lieutenant-Governor 
of Vermont for the time being were to be members, as were also 
the members of the old Board of Trustees, Messrs. Jacob, Marsh, 
Niles and Paine, whose seats were vacated by the Act. The 
Overseers had power "to inspect and confirm or disapprove and 
negative such votes and proceedings of the Board of Trustees, 
as shall relate to the appointment and removal of President, 
Professors and other permanent Officers of the University; and 

»H. J., p. 129; Portsmouth Oracle, July 29, 1816. 



i8 15-1820.] The College and the University. 87 

determining their salaries, to the establishment of Colleges and 
Professorships and to the erection of new College buildings." 
The secretary of the Trustees was to certify to the Overseers 
copies of the records and votes of the Trustees, and both bodies 
were to render an annual account through the President to the 
Governor of "all important votes and proceedings" of the Board. 
The President, to whom was given "the superintendence of the 
government and instruction of the students " and the performance 
of "all the duties devolving by usage on the President of a Uni- 
versity," was also to render to the Governor an annual account 
"of the number of the Students, and of the state of the 
funds of the University." Each of the two Boards had power 
" to suspend and remove any member of their respective Boards." 
The Governor and Council were authorized to fill all vacancies 
in the two Boards, original or occasioned by death or resignation 
except that the President of the University was ex-officio a 
member of the Board of Trustees. 

The bill was read and ordered to be printed. The strength of 
the respective parties was shown upon an immediate motion to 
recommit, which was lost, 86 to 91, and the second reading was 
ordered for four o'clock the next day.^ Early in the forenoon of 
the 19th the bill was printed, and Messrs. Thompson, Paine and 
McFarland, who were in attendance on the part of the Board, 
as soon as they could get sight of it, put in a demand for a pub- 
lic hearing, which was denied. They laid in, however, on the 
same day an able remonstrance of eight printed pages, wherein 
they dwelt at length upon the unjust and illegal features of the 
bill, and the unfairness of bringing it forward without considering 
the result of the labors of their own investigating committee.^ 
They ended with a proposition on the part of the College Board, 
similar to that contemplated in 1806, to accept a board of over- 
seers consisting of the councillors and senators together with the 
Speaker of the House, with power substantially the same as was 
afterwards enacted for the University. This paper was read in 
the House on the 20th, after a vain effort to exclude it, and re- 
ferred to a special committee consisting of Messrs. Butler, Toppan 
and Claggett of the House with Mr. Ham of the Senate, a proposi- 
tion to send it to the committee of fifteen being lost in the House, 
85 to 94; as a motion to postpone the bill until this committee 
on the remonstrance should have reasonable time to report was 
also lost, 84 to 97.3 A few days later a proposition, moved by 

1 H. J., p. 91. « See Appendix B. • H. J., pp. 119, 124. 



88 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

Mr. Paige of Hancock, to postpone the bill to the next session 
and take the opinion of the Court as to whether it would conflict 
with the Constitution of the State or of the United States, and 
whether it would endanger the title of the College to any of its 
present funds or donations in this State or any other, shared the 
same fate. But the remonstrance had evidently its effect for, 
on the 20th, seven sections of the bill were recommitted^ and 
shorn of several most objectionable features. On their return 
Messrs. Thompson and McFarland filed a further remonstrance, 
June 24, which effected nothing. 

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of 
New Hampshire in General Court convened: 

Respectfully show the undersigned two of the Trustees of Dartmouth'College 
that they have heard that the bill before the Honorable House relating to the 
College had been recommitted and reported with considerable alterations a 
few hours before their last adjournment and that it received at the same time 
a first reading. They have also heard that four o'clock this afternoon is as- 
signed for its second reading. They have not been able to obtain a sight of it 
but have heard it contains provisions for an increase of the board of Trustees 
to the number of twenty one, a majority of whom to constitute a quorum, and 
that the additional number are to be appointed by his Excellency the Governor 
and the Honorable Council. 

The undersigned would not trouble the honorable legislature with any re- 
marks in addition to those contained in their remonstrance of the 19th instant 
did they not believe it were a duty not to be omitted. They cannot but per- 
suade themselves that their reiterated applications will be received by the 
honorable legislature with indulgence when it is considered that the Trustees 
of Dartmouth College are the sole legal representatives and guardians of the 
College property and that the legislature cannot pass a law essentially altering 
the provisions of the charter without giving sanction to the heavy charges pre- 
ferred against them by Dr. John Wheelock at the last session of the General 
Court. 

To many of the topics of argument suggested in their former remonstrance 
(which are equally applicable against the passage of the bill in its present 
shape) they respectfully ask leave to add. 

That the bill in its present shape destroys the Identity of the corporation 
known in law by the name of the Trustees of Dartmouth College, without the 
consent of the corporation, and consequently the corporation to be created by 
the present bill must and will be deemed by courts of law altogether diverse 
and distinct from the corporation to which all the grants of property have 
hitherto been made: and therefore the new corporation cannot hold the prop- 
erty granted to the corporation created by the charter of 1769. 

By the charter of Dartmouth College a contract was made by the then su- 
preme power of the State with the twelve persons therein named by which 
when accepted by the persons therein named, certain rights and privileges were 
vested in them and their successors for the guarantee of which the faith of 

'H. J., p. 133. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 89 

government was pledged by necessary implication. In the same instrument 
the faith of government was pledged that the corporation should consist of 
twelve Trustees and no more. The change in the government of the State 
since taken place does not in the least possible degree impair the validity of this 
contract — otherwise nearly all the titles to real estate held by our fellow citizens 
must be deemed invalid. 

The passage of the bill now before the honorable house will in the deliberate 
opinion of the undersigned violate the plighted faith of the government. If 
the undersigned are correct in considering the charter of 1 769 in the nature of a 
contract and if the bill in its present shape becomes a law, we think it neces- 
sarily follows that it will also violate an important clause in the tenth section of 
the first article in the Constitution of the United States, which provides that 
no State shall pass any law impairing the obligation of contract. 

The honorable legislature will permit us to add that as it is well known the 
Trustees have as a Board been divided on certain important subjects, although 
the minority has been very small. Should the legislature now provide for 
nine new Trustees to be appointed by his Excellency the Governor and the 
honorable Council and that without any facts being proved to the legislature or 
any legislative report having been made showing that the state of things at the 
College rendered the measure necessary, it must be seen by our fellow citizens 
that the majority of the Trustees have been by the legislature for some unac- 
knowledged cause, condemned unheard. 

The honorable legislature will do the undersigned the justice to believe that 
they would not intentionally suggest any idea in relation to this subject which 
they did not deem worthy the consideration of the highest authorities, legis- 
lative or j udicial in the State or nation. They cannot after much deliberation 
bring themselves to believe that circumstanced as they are it ought reasonably 
to be considered disrespectful in them to defend the rights of the corporation 
to which they belong, by submitting to the hon. legislature any arguments 
drawn from the general principles of acknowledged law, or from inexpediency 
since the Supreme Judicial Court of the United States and Congress likewise 
grant similar indulgence. 

The undersigned have discharged a painful duty. They devoutly hope the 
result may accord with the highest wisdom and the security of the great prin- 
ciples upon which many of our invaluable civil rights depend. 

Thomas W. Thompson. 
Asa McFarland. 

June 24, 1816. 

The House passed the bill June 26, by essentially a strict party 
vote, ayes 96, noes 86, no Federalist voting for it, and two Demo- 
crats, Messrs. Paige and Shepard, voting against it,^ and the next 
day it became a law.^ On the 28th Mr. Toppan filed a protest 
in behalf of the minority with 75 signatures, including that of 
Augustus Storrs, one of the Hanover members. Mr. Bachelder, 
therefore, moved resolutions reciting the charges against the 

» The Judiciary act passed the same day with 97 votes against 83. and the address for removal 
of the judges, 94 to 80. 
»H. J., pp. 199. 23s. 



90 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X, 

Trustees and exonerating them point by point, but they were 
lost, 71 to 93^ There were ten roll calls on this bill in its course 
through the House. The member from Hanover Plain was Gen. 
James Poole, a neighbor of Wheelock's and an ardent supporter 
of the University Party. There were also on the ground in the 
same interest Col. Brewster of Hanover, President Wheelock's 
son-in-law, Rev. William Allen, and his nephew. Gen. E. W. 
Ripley. Eclat was given to the party by a splendid dinner and 
reception to the General on June 13. 

The act as passed, after changing the name of the College to 
"Dartmouth University," provided that there be a board of 
twenty-one Trustees, of whom a majority should constitute a 
quorum, having all the powers and rights of the old board except 
as limited by the Act. There was also to be a board of twenty- 
five overseers, of whom fifteen formed a quorum, having perpetual 
succession, except that the President of the Senate and the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives of New Hampshire, 
and the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor of Vermont were ex- 
officio members. It had a veto power over the Trustees on all 
appointments of permanent officers, determination of salaries, 
establishment of colleges and professorships, and the erection of 
buildings. Each board had authority to suspend and remove its 
own members. The President of the University, who was an 
ex-officio member of the Trustees, was to have the "superintend- 
ence of the government and instruction of the students," and 
was to make annual report to the Governor of the number of the 
students, the state of the funds of the University and all impor- 
tant proceedings of the Overseers. The Governor and Council 
were to appoint the first Board of Overseers, to fill up the existing 
Board of Trustees to the number of twenty-one, and also to fill 
all vacancies that might occur during the first meeting of the 
Board. The Governor and Council were to inspect the College 
and make report to the legislature as often as once in five years. ^ 

It will be noticed that this Act preserved the "monarchical" 
features which the Governor thought so dangerous in the old 
charter. The Board of Trustees was still a close corporation, 
after the first injection of new blood in nine new members, though 
there could of course be no guaranty that the process of legisla- 
tive interference might not be repeated as often as party whims 

«H. J., 241. 

• The act is given in full in Appendix D, in the preamble to the resolution of the Trustees 
declining to accept its provisions. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 91 

might dictate. There were in the Act some features radically 
different from those in the first draft. The most important was 
the retention of all the old board, so that the adhesion of one of 
them at least was requisite for a quorum. Had the Act passed 
as at first drafted the subsequent difficulty about a quorum 
could not have occurred, and the whole aspect of matters would 
have been different. The Governor and Council proceeded at 
once to fill up the Boards.* 

The effect of the passage of the law upon the minds of the friends 
of the College appears in the following letters: 

Professor Mussey wrote to President Brown, July 3, 1816, 
from Weston, Mass.: 

The proceedings of the N. H. Legislature relative to D. College have excited 
universal alarm and indignation among the Federalists. "Hold on " say they, 
"til! the last finger is cut off." 

Mr. Marsh from Woodstock wrote to President Brown, July 
4, 1816: 

I was not much surprised at the information which your letter brought 
though I had been led to hope that something would arrest the progress of the 
enemy. I have not had much time to examine authorities on the subject of 
the power of the legislature in relation to existing corporations yet I have no 
doubt in my own mind that the Act is altogether unconstitutional and must 
be so decided could the question come before a competent and dispassionate 
court. But whether we can ever hope in our situation for a correct decision 
is a very different question. 

I think we shall never be able to act with such trustees as will probably be 
appointed, and of course must act independently of them or not act at all. 
We shall however be better able to judge after knowing who are appointed 
and I hope that before we shall be called to act the path of duty will be more 
plain than it appears to me at present. ... I think we shall be more 
likely to bring them to terms by resisting the act than by yielding to its pro- 
visions. ... I now wish that we had seasonably removed the secretary 
so as to have possessed ourselves of the records. . . . You ask what can 
or will the legislature do if we refuse to submit to the act. They can legally 
do nothing, what in the wantonness of power they may have the madness to 
attempt no one can tell. If we refuse, the new trustees may attempt to pos- 
sess themselves of the control and appoint new officers &c. but regularly they 
ought to bring legal process against the present board or their officers. 

Mr. Thompson wrote to President Brown, July 15, 1816: 

Mr. Farrar of Portsmouth advises and I think his advice good, that one or 
more of the Trustees should immediately wait upon Judge Smith, Messrs. 
Mason and Webster and consult them and take their written directions as to 

» See Appendix C. 



92 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

the measures the Trustees ought to pursue. I do ardently wish that Mr. 
Marsh would accompany you to Exeter and Portsmouth and be present at 
the interview. 

All whom I see in my travels without an exception urge us to a legal resist- 
ance. 

Mr. McFarland's letter to President Brown, July 15, 1816, 
was of the same tenor: 

Mr. Thompsonsaw Judge Peabody, Mr. Mason, Websterand Farrar They 
gave it as their decided opinion that it would be the duty of the Trustees to 
maintain their original corporate right, and try the issue. That so far as my 
information extends is the opinion of the most considerate part of the commun- 
ity. Judge Peabody informed Mr. Thompson that Gov. Gilman is decidedly 
opposed to the late act, but that he could not be prevailed on to attend a meet- 
ing of the Board. Mr. T. desired Judge Peabody to request the old Governor 
not to resign his seat in the Board at present. 

Mr. Marsh again wrote to President Brown, July 17, 1816: 

The more I think of this subject the more important it appears to me for the 
old Trustees to stand entirely aloof from those newly created by the appoint- 
ment of the Gov. under the Act, with a view if crowded out to revive the insti- 
tution in the future either here or at some other place. I have no doubt that 
we can now in our own courts (Vermont) control the rents of the township of 
Wheelock, and these funds may serve hereafter as a rallying point for future 
exertions. 

Respecting the approaching meeting of the new board he wrote 
ten days later, "I still think it a great object to prevent their 
having a quorum, for in that case they can do no official act, 
nor accept the grant. Gov. Gilman must be seen on this head 
— Cannot Mr. Webster or some other friend induce him to write 
Mr. Jacob." Mr. Jacob was much out of health and it was 
anticipated that he would be unable to attend or would resign. 

During the interval before Commencement legal opinions were 
sought from quite a number of gentlemen prominent in New 
Hampshire and elsewhere, as Parker Noyes, Arthur Livermore 
and Daniel Davis of Boston. These were, almost without excep- 
tion, unequivocally against the legality of the new Acts. Among 
other questions laid before them was the subject of a possible 
removal hinted at by Mr. Marsh, but it found little encourage- 
ment. 

Commencement fell on the last week of August. The Col- 
lege Trustees took the precaution to come together on the Friday 
preceding, but had as yet come to no conclusion respecting their 
course of action when the day arrived for the organization of the 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 93 

University Board agreeably to the Act. The Governor was 
promptly on the ground and the following correspondence passed : 

Hanover, Monday morning, August 26, 1816. 

Sir, — As this is the day appointed by law for the meeting of the Trustees 
of Dartmouth University, as several of the members of that Board are now in 
town, and as you are President of that University and member of the Board, 
permit me to enquire whether you have provided a place for their assembling 
and where? 

If you have not designated the hour and place of their meeting will you be 
so obliging as to make the appointment and give me information thereof. 

I am &c. 

William Plumer. 
Rev'd Francis Brown. 

President of Dartmouth University. 

Monday morning, August 26, 1816. 
To HIS Excellency Wm. Plumer: 

Sir, — I have had the honor to receive your note of this morning. In reply 
permit me to observe that on inspecting the Act of the 27th June last entitled 
"An Act to amend the charter and enlarge and improve the corporation of 
Dartmouth College" I noticed that "the Governor" was "authorized and 
requested to summon the first meeting of the Trustees and Overseers " of Dart- 
mouth University "to be held at Hanover" &c. From this clause I conclude 
that the right of designating the hour and the place of the meeting belongs 
according to the Act to the Governor and to him only. I have not therefore 
presumed to provide a place for their assembling. On inspecting the Act anew 
this morning I am confirmed in the construction which I put on the above 
recited clause and must beg therefore to excuse myself from making the ap- 
pointment to which you invite me. 

I have the honor &c. 

Francis Brown. 

Monday morning, August 26, 1816. 

Sir, — Since the receipt of your polite letter of this morning I have addressed 
a note to Professor Shurtleff as librarian, requesting information whether the 
condition of the library room appertaining to the University was such as to 
accommodate the Trustees thereof in assembling and holding their meeting 
during the present session. To which he replied verbally that ... he 
had previously delivered the key of the library room to you. These circum- 
stances induce me to request that you would be so obliging as to inform me 
whether there is any objection to the Trustees occupying said room for the 
purpose of holding their meetings. 

I am &c 

William Plumer. 
Rev'd Francis Brown. &c. 

To this reply was made that there was some mistake respecting 
the key which Professor Shurtleff would explain in person, as he 
afterward did. 



94 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X- 

Monday afternoon, August 26, 1816. 

Sir, — Permit me to enquire whether I am to understand by your second 
note of this morning taken in connection with Professor Shurtleflf's explanation 
that you decline giving consent to the use of the library room in the buildings 
belonging to Dartmouth University to the Trustees thereof. If you do not 
decline will you have the goodness to have that room opened; or is there any 
other room in those buildings or elsewhere in this town that is convenient for 
the Trustees to hold their meeting in, that I may take measures to notify them 
thereof. Your answer is requested as soon as convenient. 

I am &c. 

William Plumer. 
President Brown. 

Monday afternoon, August 26, 1816. 

To HIS Excellency William Plumer: 

Sir, — In answer to your Excellency's note just received, I have the honor 
to inform you that I have not, either by law or usage, in my office as President 
the control of the library room. Of course my note to your Excellency taken 
in connection with Professor ShurtlefT's explanation is not I0 be understood 
as implying that I decline giving consent to the use of the library room for 
the purpose mentioned by your Excellency. If I rightly understand my official 
duties it does not belong to me either to refuse or to give my consent in the 
case. I have no authority to cause the room occupied by the library to be 
opened according to your Excellency's request, and as to rooms in other build- 
ings Judge Woodward from his superior acquaintance in the place will be able 
to give your Excellency more satisfactory information than myself. 

I have the honor to be &c. 

Francis Brown. 

The meeting was finally convened in Judge Woodward's office 
(afterward for many years the study of President Lord), at five 
o'clock the same afternoon, but without the number requisite 
to organize, only nine being present.^ Next morning ten were 
in attendance, including all the new members, save Matthew 
Harvey who was detained by sickness, and the Governor and a 
single member of the old Board, Hon. Stephen Jacob of Windsor. 
As they still lacked one of a quorum, the Governor by their order 
once more addressed the President. The note is in the hand- 
writing of Judge Levi Woodbury. 

Hanover, Tuesday, August 27th 1816. 
Sir, — A number of the Trustees of Dartmouth University are convened at 
the Treasurer's office of Judge Woodward. They are authorized and prepared 
to proceed in the transaction of business provided you will give your attend- 
ance as required by Statute to preside over their meeting. 

' Governor Plumer, Dr. Josiah Bartlett, Joshua Darling, William H. Woodward, Levi Wood- 
bury, Dr. Cyrus Perkins, Aaron Hutchinson, Daniel M.Durell, Stephen Jacob. Henry Hubbard 
who appeared next morning was the tenth. The room was the one on the right as one enters 
the front door of the house next Webster Hall. 



1 815-1 820.] The College and the University. 95 

I am requested therefore by the gentlemen present to notifiy you of the above 
circumstances in order that by repairing here as soon as possible the necessary 
measures may be seasonably adopted preparatory to the duties and exercises 
of tomorrow. 

Your attendance or reasons for non-attendance are wished for immediately 
if agreeable. 

I am &c. 

William Plumer. 
Mr. President Brown. 

Tuesday evening, August 27, 1816. 
To HIS Excellency Wm. Plumer. 

Sir, — Your note has just been received requesting my attendance at Judge 
Woodward's office or my reasons for non-attendance. 

With respect to the Act of 27th June last, referred to by your Excellency, I 
would remark that I have not supposed any individual of the twenty one per- 
sons contemplated in that Act as the Trustees of Dartmouth University was 
bound to act under it unless with his own deliberate consent. 

I have taken that Act into consideration together with the other Trustees 
constituted according to the provisions of the Charter of 1769. But no deci- 
sion has as yet been taken ; and until the last mentioned Trustees shall conclude 
to abandon their said Charter and to accept the before mentioned Act, I shall 
probably deem it duty not to attend. The Trustees did not^ as I in the morn- 
ing expected they would, act on the report of their committee. It is therefore 
still under consideration. 

I have &c. 

Francis Brown. 

Early on Wednesday, the morning of Commencement day, a 
like summons was sent by the Governor, from the University 
Trustees then in session, to Professors Shurtlefif and Adams re- 
questing their attendance on the Board at half past nine o'clock, 
as "the conferring of degrees and the other duties and exercises 
of this day deserve immediate attention." Professor Shurtlefif 
replied that as it did not appear that a quorum of the Trustees 
had as yet convened he "did not deem it proper to proceed with 
individual gentlemen who may be assembled"; and Professor 
Adams answered in like fashion, adding that "Professors have 
not heretofore been consulted on similar occasions." Meanwhile 
the College Board, in session at the house of President Brown, 
near the present site of the Observatory, had reached a decision 
which, for the sake of promptness, was at once communicated 
to the Governor in the form of a resolution, though the long pre- 
amble giving the reasons for the decision, was delayed.^ 

Resolved, that we the Trustees of Dartmouth College do not accept the pro- 
visions of an act of the legislature of New Hampshire approved June 27, 1816, 

J For the preamble see Appendix D. 



96 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. x. 

entitled "An Act to amend the Charter and enlarge and improve the Corpora- 
tion of Dartmouth College," but do hereby expressly refuse to act under the 
same. 

Eight members were present and concurring; Judge Niles 
though in sympathy with the action was absent on account of 
sickness, and ex-Governor Oilman was not present in execution 
of his purpose of neutrality. 

The members of the University Board retorted with a remon- 
strance and protest, and a preamble as long as its rival, drafted by 
Messrs. Durell, Hubbard and Woodbury. ^ But neither remon- 
strance nor preamble could disguise the fact that the University 
gentlemen were left stranded in a very ridiculous position, of 
which they were keenly sensible. Had they obtained a quorum 
an embarassing conflict could not have been avoided; as it was 
the exercises of Commencement went on in the usual orderly 
manner under the College authority. Not to be wanting in 
courtesy President Brown presented "his respectful compliments 
to Governor Plumer and," so he wrote, "has the honor to acquaint 
his Excellency that the procession preparatory to the public ex- 
ercises of the day will be formed at the College chapel between 
the hours of ten and eleven. The Trustees of the College would 
be highly gratified could your Excellency think it proper to join 
them as one of their number. Should you decline this, permit 
me to request for myself and the other Trustees that your Excel- 
lency would honor the occasion by giving your attendance as 
the Chief Magistrate of the State and taking a seat on the stage. 
Mr. Woodbury, the bearer, will superintend the procession and 
will wait on your Excellency when it shall be ready to form if 
agreeable." 

The Governor turned the tables on him with a grim humor that 
is very amusing: 

Wednesday morning, August 28, 181 6. 

Sir: — In answer to your polite note of this morning requesting my attendance 
at the Chapel, and to take a seat on the stage as chief magistrate of the State, 
permit me to observe that I came to this town in the character of a Trustee 
of Dartmouth University and that if the Trustees of that Institution who 
were appointed by the Executive authority of New Hampshire in pursuance of 
the statute of the 27th of June last, should i n their official character as Trustees 
of said University join the procession and take seats as such on the stage, I 
will do myself the honor of accompanying them. 

I am &c. 

William Plumer. 
President Brown. 

' For the remonstrance see Appendix E. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 97 

There were present many of President Wheelock's friends from 
abroad. The Patriot announced^ that "the company collected 
at Hanover, especially from other states, as the friends of 
President Wheelock, was numerous and respectable beyond all 
former example. The polite attentions paid them by the late 
President and his friends residing at Hanover were such as 
rendered their visit to the seat of our University highly agree- 
able and satisfactory." 

Among them was General Ripley, and opportunity was taken 
to make to him on August 29 a presentation of a sword through 
a self-constituted committee consisting of Senator John Durkee, 
Silas Tenney, W. H. Woodward, James Poole and Amos A. 
Brewster. Under other circumstances all parties would have 
eagerly joined in honoring so distinguished a native of the village, 
though he had been often in town since the war, but in existing 
conditions the affair took on an entirely partisan and somewhat 
private character. Commodore Bainbridge, who came to town 
as a companion of General Ripley, won golden opinions from the 
College people by attending the exercises in a prominent position, 
in the procession, on the stage and at dinner, while the General 
himself only ventured incognito for a short time into the crowd 
near the door of the meeting house and on being recognized 
hastily withdrew.^ 

The University Trustees adjourned to September 17. Before 
doing so they laid out upon the recommendation of a committee, 
composed of Messrs. Durell, Woodward, Perkins, Hubbard and 
Woodbury, the following elaborate and extensive scheme of 
organization. 

The committee appointed to consider the necessary regulations for the 
government of Dartmouth University and the organization of different 
colleges therein respectfully report: 

That as only ten of the Trustees of Dartmouth University have taken their 
seats at the place assigned and notified by his Excellency the Governor to all 
the members of the Board now in town, we do not consider it expedient or 
proper at this time to pass any votes except such as existing circumstances 
immediately require. 

On examination of the early records of the Institution we discover that 
although at neither of the first two meetings of its Trustees did a majority of 
them assemble, yet it was deemed proper by those present to recommend many 
measures promotive of its important interests, and to pass a number of neces- 
sary votes and preliminary resolves. These proceedings, at a subsequent meet- 
ing, were expressly approved and adopted. 

I New Hampshire Patriot, September 13. 18 16. 
i Dartmouth Gazette, September 18, 1816. 



98 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

We therefore regard it as expedient for those now convened to continue 
acting in a manner similar to the above and on the different subjects connected 
with the University. We also beg leave to propose the following system for 
organizing Colleges therein, and for governing its various concerns. All which 
measures we recommend for adoption, and indulge the hope that they will be 
approbated by the Board of Trustees when hereafter convened under more 
favorable circumstances. 

Resolved that the ofificers of Dartmouth University shall consist of a Presi- 
dent, Secretary, Treasurer, Librarian, Steward and Inspector of buildings. 

Resolved that the following Professorships be instituted for the general 
course of instruction in said University: 

1st Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, 

2nd Logic Metaphysics and Ethics, 

3rd Rhetoric Oratory and the Belles Lettres, 

4th Latin and Greek Literature, 
and in addition to the foregoing it is highly desirable that the following pro- 
fessorships should be established so soon as funds can be obtained for the 
purpose: 

1st English and other modern Literature, 

2nd Civil History, 

Resolved that for the particular instruction of those who have made requi- 
site progress in a general course of education, the following Colleges shall 
be organized in said University so soon as the funds thereof will permit, to 
each of which shall be appointed a Principal or presiding officer — viz: 

A College of Theology, 

A College of Medicine, 

A College of Law, 

Each of said Colleges shall respectively be under the superintendence of 
the President of the University. 

That in the College of Theology shall be established the following Profes- 
sorships: 

1st Divinity and Sacred Eloquence, 

2nd Hebrew and other Oriental Languages, 

3rd Sacred History, 

That the College of Medicine shall be organized and regulated as follows — 
the faculty and officers of instruction in which shall be 

1st A Professor of the Institutes and practice of Medicine, 

2nd A Professor of Anatomy and Surgery, 

3rd A Professor of the Theory and Practice of Physick, 

4th A Professor of Chemistry and Materia Medica, 

5th A Professor of Natural History and Botany, 

That the College of Law shall be organized under the following Professor- 
ships: 

1st Civil Law, 

2nd Natural and National Law, 

3rd The Science of Government and Political Economy. 

In relation to the government of the students of said University we recom- 
mend that till otherwise directed by the Trustees thereof it should continue 
under the particular regulations and the several professors existing in the then 
Dartmouth College before the passage of the acts of June last, and we recom- 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 99 

mend the person designated as treasurer till the event above named to manage 
the funds of said University in a provident manner and to take the buildings, 
lands and other property appertaining thereto under his immediate care and 
direction. 

Daniel M. Durell 
for the Committee. 

Voted that said report be accepted and as far as possible complied with. 

The Board of Overseers also lacked one of a quorum. Four- 
teen^ were in attendance. They "resolved unanimously as 
our opinion that we deem the measures pursued by the afore- 
said trustees highly expedient, wise and dignified; and that 
they meet the cordial and unqualified approbation and sanc- 
tion of the members of the Board of Overseers now present." 
So far as we know this was the only official act ever attempted 
by the Overseers. It does not appear that their board was 
organized, or made any further serious effort to do so, though 
we learn from the contemporary newspapers that several mem- 
bers of it attended at least the succeeding Commencement in 
1817. 

Among the subjects which required the attention of the Col- 
lege Board at the June meeting in 1816 was the attitude of their 
secretary, Judge Woodward, who adhered to their opponents 
and declined to attend their repeated summons or to surrender 
their records. When the Board met by adjournment on the 
27th of September, Mr. Woodward still persisted in his refusal, 
the office was declared vacant, and on the 30th Mills Olcott, 
Esq., was chosen secretary in his stead, and instructed to demand 
of him the records and the seal, and to take measures to obtain 
them by process of law if necessary. The demand was of 
course unsuccessful. In place of the ancient seal withheld by 
Mr. Woodward a new one, having for a device a spread eagle 
encircled by the same legend as the old, was for the time adopted, 
being improvised by the aid of a half dollar and a circle of type. 
This was made to serve the purpose until the restoration of 
the old seal, unchanged, in April, 1819. 

To secure moral and financial support for the College it was 
voted 

That immediate application be made to the liberal and benevolent part of 
the community for benefactions to the College: that the President be requested 

■ Henry Dearborn, B. W. Crowninshield, Paul Brigham, Benj. Greene. Elisha Ticknor, 
Dudley Chase, H. A. S. Dearborn, James T. Austin, Levi Lincoln, Jr., Wm. A. Griswold, 
Albion K. Parris, Amos Twitchell, David L. Morrill, Clement Storer. 



100 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

to prepare an address for that purpose preparatory to a subscription and pro- 
cure printed copies of the same and distribute them among the Trustees and 
other friends of the College. That each Trustee consider himself a com- 
mittee and use his best endeavors for the purpose of procuring the benefac- 
tions contemplated. That President Brown take more particular charge of 
this business in the County of Grafton and the northerly part of Cheshire, 
Judge Niles, Judge Paine and Mr. Marsh in Vermont, Dr. Payson in the 
southerly part of Cheshire, Judge Farrar in the southerly part of Hillsborough, 
Rev. Mr. Smith in the southwesterly part of Rockingham and Dr. McFar- 
land and Mr. Thompson in the residue of Rockingham and Hillsborough 
and in the County of Strafford, and that President Brown visit Boston, Salem 
and Newburyport for the same purpose as soon as practicable. 

The College was poor and hard pressed for means to meet 
ordinary current expenses, and the outlook upon what evidently 
promised to be a bitter, protracted and expensive controversy 
was in the last degree discouraging. 

There was present at Commencement a merchant of Orford 
— let his name be ever held in honorable remembrance — John 
B. Wheeler — "who had learned his letters by 'light-wood 
candles,' and was but six weeks in any school until by his own 
labor he paid for six months tuition and board" at New Ipswich 
Academy under Professor John Hubbard, and then "axe in 
hand entered the woods and felled trees for a farm. . . . 
After the exercises of the day were over as he was sitting in 
his chair [at the home of Professor Adams where he lodged] 
and bidding adieu to a professor of the College, he said, ' If 
the Trustees intend to test their rights by a suit at law, and 
should want means, I have a thousand dollars at their command.' "^ 
The offer was instantly communicated to the Board then in 
session. It came as the first glimpse of light in the darkness and 
was joyfully accepted. But for this unsolicited and unlooked- 
for aid it was said that the struggle would hardly have been 
continued. Mr. Wheeler received the formal thanks of the 
Board at the next meeting, and in 1905, in grateful memory 
of his timely aid, the Trustees gave his name to a large and 
attractive dormitory erected in that year. 

In November the following printed appeal was circulated, 
accompanied by subscription blanks: 

The Trustees of Dartmouth College, after much deliberation, have deemed 
it their duty to make application to the friends of religion and learning for 
pecuniary assistance to the Institution, of which they are the guardians. 
If they need any apology for this application, it might be sufficient to mention 

'Proceedings of the Alumni, 185s. P- 60. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. loi 

the recent example of two sister Institutions, one of them the oldest and best 
endowed in the United States: if they entertain strong hope of the success 
of this application, they are justified in it, not only by the liberal aid afforded 
to Harvard and Middlebury, but by the acknowledged importance of the 
object, and by the opinions of numerous friends of the College in every part 
of the state, and of not a few in the neighboring states. Many, they even 
fear, begin almost to suspect them of supineness for having delayed the appli- 
cation to the present time. 

On the utility of Dartmouth College as the principal Literary Institution 
in New Hampshire, as the nursery where are reared so many of that portion 
of our youth, to whom chiefly the country looks for the defence of her religion, 
the interpretation of her laws, and the health of her citizens, it is unnecessary 
to enlarge. Equally unnecessary is it to speak of the present tranquil and 
prosperous state of the College, with respect to its internal administration. 
These are points generally known and admitted. When, then, it shall be 
as generally known, that the College is extremely deficient in pecuniary means, 
and that, unless this deficiency is supplied, its usefulness must be greatly im- 
peded, will not the lovers of literature, will not the friends of religion and 
their country come forward to its aid? 

The aggregate annual income from all the permanent funds (exclusive 
of room-rent), even if these were free from embarrassment, would scarcely 
exceed fifteen hundred dollars, — a sum, which, if the Trustees are rightly 
informed, is not more than half the income of Phillips Exeter Academy. 
But of this pittance, insufficient as it is, the College is deprived for the present, 
by the refusal of its late Treasurer to deliver up the evidences of property in 
his hands. The only resource, therefore, remaining to the Trustees, is the 
tuition bills of the students, together with the rent of rooms in the College 
buildings. To this alone they must look for the means, which are to pay 
the salaries of the officers, to erect a new edifice, to enlarge the Library and 
Philosophical Apparatus, to prosecute and defend suits at law, and to pay 
every other expense. Who, with these facts before him, can hesitate to 
admit, that a necessity is imposed on them of making an appeal to the gener- 
osity of the publick? And who, that knows with what munificence most 
of the other Colleges in New England are patronised, will entertain a doubt, 
that this appeal will be promptly met and honourably sustained? While 
Harvard and Yale, Brown and Williams, Bowdoin and Middlebury are en- 
riched by public or private benefactions, shall Dartmouth decay merely 
for want of necessary funds? Will New-Hampshire suffer her college to 
languish, while her neighbouring sister states are extending to theirs a foster- 
ing hand? Will the alumni of Dartmouth stand aloof from their Alma Mater 
in the day of her necessity and danger? Will the friends of Zion hear without 
an effort the call of the Seminary, in which many of the sons of Zion are 
trained for her defence, and on which God has so recently and so signally 
bestowed his blessing? To believe this were to imply a reproach, which, 
we trust, is unmerited. 

As different individuals may have a preference with respect to the partic- 
ular uses to which their benefactions shall be applied, it may be proper to 
mention some of the objects, which are deemed most immediately to demand 
notice. 

The Professorship of Languages is now vacant, and it is indispensable 



102 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

that a Professor in that department shall be appointed without delay. To 
gentlemen, who appreciate the importance of this branch of literature, it 
is suggested, that they may usefully appropriate a portion of their surplus 
property by founding, or assisting to found, a Professorship of Languages. 

The Phillips Professor of Theology receives not more than half his salary 
from the proceeds of the Phillips fund. Other gentlemen, who may prefer 
to consecrate their gifts specially to Religion, will have opportunity to gratify 
their pious and liberal feelings by completing the establishment of the Theo- 
logical Professorship. 

The erection of a new edifice has become necessary', as well for the publick 
purposes of the College, as for the proper accommodation of the students, 
more than half of whom are now obliged to occupy private rooms. A third 
class of Benefactors may find it best to accord with their views to increase 
the respectability and usefulness of the College by contributing to the erection 
of such an edifice. 

It is also suggested, that Dartmouth College does not furnish its President 
a dwelling house; a deficiency, which it is believed not to exist at more than 
one similar institution in New-England, and which the Trustees are anxious 
to see supplied. 

Other objects might be named; but these are of urgent importance, and 
must be provided for with all convenient despatch. 

Whatever sums may be subscribed without the designation of a particular 
object, the Trustees will consider as submitted to their discretionary appli- 
cation. The will of the donors, where this shall be expressed, shall invariably 
regulate the application of their gifts. 

This address is intended to be made not only to those, whom the Sovereign 
Dispenser of favours has blessed with opulence, and who can of their abun- 
dance contribute their hundreds or their thousands, but to those also, who, 
though not rich, enjoy somewhat more than a competence for their families, 
and in whom, happily, our country greatly abounds. The smallest sums will 
be gratefully acknowledged. And if any, instead of making donations, 
should prefer to subscribe an annual sum, to be paid for a given number of 
years, this method of affording aid would be perfectly acceptable. 

It is requested, that the subscription papers accompanying this address 
may be returned to the President by the first of February next. As soon as 
may be, after that time, agents will be appointed to receive and transmit 
to the Treasurer the sums, which may be subscribed, an account of which 
will be regularly published in the Dartmouth Gazette. 

Dartmouth College, Nov. 8, 1816. 

It being more than doubtful whether the adjournment of the 
University Trustees to a set date in default of a quorum had 
any legal effect, no meeting was attempted on the 17th of Sep- 
tember. But on the i6th the Governor with Messrs. Hall, 
Quarles and B. Pierce of the Council met by appointment at 
Hanover,^ designing among other things to fill up certain vacan- 
cies that had occurred in the Board of Overseers by refusal 

^New Hampshire Patriot, September 3 and 24. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 103 

of original appointees to serve. Encountering similar doubts 
as to their powers in that direction, they contented themselves 
with requesting on the 19th the opinion of the Supreme Court 
on two questions, one of which would have been more timely 
before the Act was passed.^ 

First. Has the Legislature of this State authority to amend the charters 
or acts of incorporation of literary corporations by increasing the number 
of trustees, adding boards of overseers, and prescribing modes of visitation 
in cases where such corporations were established by the present government 
of this State or by John Wentworth formerly Governor of the Province of 
New Hampshire, exercising authority in the name of the British King? 

Second. Have the Governor and Council of this State in virtue of an 
act passed June 27th, 1816, entitled "An act to amend the charter, and enlarge 
and improve the corporation of Dartmouth College," authority to fill any 
vacancies in the Board of Trustees or Overseers happening since the 26th 
of August last, there not having been on that day a meeting of a quorum of 
either of said Boards as prescribed by said act? 

Answer was made by Judges Richardson and Bell on Novem- 
ber 25th adverse to the further exercise of power under the 
existing law, but declining in view of possible litigation to respond 
at this stage to the constitutional question. 

On the 20th of November, 18 16, while these questions were 
still pending before the judges, the General Court convened for 
their winter session. The Governor in his speech rehearsed 
the proceedings above related, and added:- 

It is an important question and merits your serious consideration whether 
a aw passed and approved by all the constituted authorities of the State 
shall be carried into effect, or whether a Jew individuals not vested with any 
judicial authority shall be permitted to declare your statutes dangerous and 
arbitrary, unconstitutional and void: whether a minority of the trustees of a 
literary institution formed for the education of your children shall be encour- 
aged to inculcate the doctrine of resistance to the law and their example 
tolerated in disseminating principles of insubordination and rebellion against 
government. 

Believing you cannot doubt the course proper to be adopted on this occa- 
sion permit me to recommend the passage of a bill to amend the law respecting 
Dartmouth University. Give authority to some person to call a new meeting 
of the Trustees and Overseers; reduce the number necessary to form a quo- 
rum in each Board; authorize those who may hereafter meet to adjourn from 
time to time till a quorum shall assemble; give each of the Boards the same 
authority to transact business at their first as they have at their annual meet- 
ings, and to remove all doubts give power to the Executive to fill up vacancies 
that have or hereafter may happen in the Board of Trustees, and make such 
other provisions as will enable the Boards to carry the law into effect and 
render the Institution useful to the public. 

'Shirley, p. 119. « S. J. p. 13. 



104 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

A special committee consisting of Young and Shepard of 
the Senate and Butler, Clark, R. Woodbury, M. Hale, Miller, 
Wallace, Healey, Wood, Poole and Sawyer of the House, to 
whom the matter was referred, brought in a bill which passed 
the House by lOO votes to 87, and became a law on the i8th 
of December.^ The Governor was authorized to call the first 
meeting of both boards which was given the validity of an 
annual meeting. Both boards were authorized, in the lack 
of a quorum, to adjourn from time to time till one should be 
obtained, but to facilitate organization by the Trustees nine 
were constituted a quorum. On the 26th of December the 
first act was supplemented by a bill of penalties designed to 
prevent the old ofificers from continuing the contest.^ Any 
person assuming to perform the duties of president, trustee 
or any officer of the College, except in conformity to the Acts 
of the Legislature, should forfeit for each ofifence $500, to be 
recovered by any person who should sue therefor, one half to 
go to the complainant and one half to the University. On 
December 27th the medical building, which had been erected 
at the expense of the State, was by special resolve placed in 
charge of General James Poole as agent of the State.^ 

The denunciation of penalties shook for a time the resolution 
of some of the College people. Mr. Thompson, then in Wash- 
ington, was, out of regard to the Faculty, at first strongly of 
the opinion that they should give up all assumption of college 
machinery, and confine themselves to private instruction of 
pupils, in hope of better times, but he seems to have been alone 
in that opinion. Mr. Marsh especially was earnest against it. 
Advice was sought from numerous quarters. 

Now what shall we do? [wrote the President to Judge Farrar].* One of 
these four courses must be taken. We must either keep possession and go 
on and instruct as usual, without any regard to the law, or withdrawing 
from the College edifice and all the College property continue to instruct as 
the ofificers of Dartmouth College or relinquishing this name for the present 
collect as many students as will join us and instruct them as private but 
associated individuals, or else we must give up all and disperse. Will you 
give us your opinion what may be our duty or what expedient as soon as 
convenient? Particularly will you give us your opinion whether supposing 
this oppressive act to be judged constitutional we should be liable to the 
fine if we instruct as the ofificers of Dartmouth College relinquishing however 
the College buildings, the library apparatus, &c. . . . 

' Statutes of New Hampshire, p. 74- " Statutes of New Hampshire, p. 99- 

' Statutes of New Hampshire, p. 94. * Shirley, p. 125. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 105 

If we resolve to persevere in our duties as the oflficers of Dartmouth College 
and to meet the consequences ... we must have substantial aid or 
it will be impossible to go on. 

Mr. Marsh wrote to Professor Shurtleff January 16, 18 17: 

I find myself very much embarrassed in attempting to give any advice 
respecting the mode of proceeding in relation to the affairs of the College. 
Our embarrassments seem to me to be of such a nature that we cannot decide 
to-day what may be duty to-morrow, but that we must from day to day 
trust our Heavenly Father for a "mouth and wisdom" which our adversaries 
may not be able to gainsay. 

As to the query which you propose I am persuaded that the new board 
will not consent to your tarrying and administering the government of the 
Institution on neutral ground. Indeed you cannot take one step in this way, 
you must act under the charter or under the new acts of the legislature — you 
must consider that and make of it a Dartmouth College or the University. 

Judge Paine wrote to President Brown January 27, 1817: 

I believe your only way is to persevere fully in the old order, or to submit 
fully to the new order of things or to abandon altogether. After I left Han- 
over I went as far as Westminister in Vermont and saw several gentlemen 
from Cheshire County. They were uniformly of the opinion that we ought 
to persevere or the latter end would be worse than the beginning, or in other 
words that since we have put our hands to the plow, which they commend, 
we ought not to look back. In August I was governed as one of the Trustees 
in a great measure by what I understood to be the determination of the College 
Executive. I was disposed to consult their feelings and disposition. If 
they were not disposed to adhere I knew every effort of the old Trustees 
would be fruitless. 

A letter from the President to Judge Smith elicited a reply, 
declining to advise, but filled with characteristic suggestions. 

As to the question [he says], whether the officers of the College would be 
liable for instructing &c. in case they should give up the buildings and other 
College property, it seems to me unnecessary to consider it. The act of 
surrendering the property would be a clear admission that they had no right 
to retain it. With it I think they ought to give up all things, the franchise, 
name &c. which are wholly insignificant. It would be no offence under 
the new act to instruct, and it will be as useful without as with the name of 
Dartmouth College. If I were one of the Trustees, at the same time I sur- 
rendered the property I would ask Governor Plumer's pardon for my error 
in having treated his authority so ill. I have no doubt he will forgive them. 
. . . If their confidence in the course adopted and hitherto pursued remains 
unimpaired there is no reason for my adding anything to it. If they begin 
to feel doubts and think of a compromise this is a matter in which the patient 
must minister to himself. I never advise. I would not advise to an oppo- 
sition even to the letter of an act of the legislature. . . . From your letter 
I conclude that the penal act of the last session had produced the consequence 
which I am confident it was chiefly intended to produce. 



io6 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. x. 

The hesitancy was short Hved, courage revived, and not in 
a single instance was an attempt made to put the penalties in 
force. Indeed, able and uncompromising as were the majority 
of the Board of Trust the salvation of the College depended 
after all upon the firmness and ability of the executive officers. 
Surrender was inevitable unless they would take the main brunt 
of the contest, and conduct it wisely. Fortunately the three, 
President Brown and Professors Shurtleff and Adams, composing 
the Academic Faculty were eminent for the qualities necessary 
for the struggle, and promptly determined at all hazards of finan- 
cial loss and inconvenience to see the matter through. Of the 
three gentlemen composing the Medical Faculty, Professor 
Mussey adhered strongly to the College, while Dr. Cyrus Per- 
kins clung with equal ardor to the University, of which he was 
appointed a Trustee. The only effect of the penal act was to 
drive away Dr. Nathan Smith, whom both parties were anxious 
to retain. He had resigned in 1813, but had again accepted 
an election from the College Board at the annual meeting in 
1816 as professor of theory and practice of medicine and surgery, 
and delivered lectures during the fall of that year, but alarmed 
by the threatened penalties he again abandoned his position 
and finally withdrew from the institution.^ 

'Nathan Smith, son of John and Elizabeth (Ide) Hills Smith, being fourth in descent from 
Henry Smith who came to this country in the ship Diligent landing August lo, 1638, was born 
in Rehoboth, Mass., September 30, 1762, and soon after the family removed to Chester, Vt., 
where he grew to young manhood with very little education. Happening to be present at a 
surgical operation by Dr. Goodhue of Putney, Vt., he was seized with the desire of becoming a 
physician, and on opening his mind to Dr. Goodhue was told by him that it would be impos- 
sible without much more preliminary education than he had. He at once devoted himself 
to acquiring the necessary preparation and then returning to the doctor was accepted as a 
student and after studying began the practice of medicine in Cornish, N. H., where he soon 
attained a good practice. But being dissatisfied with his attainments he went to Harvard 
Medical School where he received the degree of M. B. in 1790. taking as the subject of his thesis 
"On Causes and Effects of Spasms in Fevers." [See Mass. Mag. Vol. 3, 1791. for January, 
p. 33 and for February, p. 81, containing a "Review" and a "Reply" by Dr. Smith.] After 
making arrangements to open a Medical School in Hanover he went to Edinburgh in December, 
1796, and studied there and in London, returning home the next September. He was chosen 
to organize the Medical School at Yale and became professor of theory and practice of medi- 
cine there in 1813. In 1820 Maine established a Medical School, which Dr. Smith was invited 
to organize, and it became the third which owed its organization to him. For five years, 
1821-25 inclusive, he gave all the lectures except in chemistry and anatomy. He also lec- 
tured from 1822 to 182s on "Medicine and Surgery" at the University of Vermont. Between 
1797 and 1828 ''he was connected with forty-two general courses and gave instruction in 
different departments in about one hundred and thirty-eight special courses." "To him 
more than to any other man, it is believed, may be ascribed the rapid increase in the advan- 
tages for medical education in America." He was famous as a surgeon and performed in 1821 
an original operation for ovariotomy, not having heard of the operation by McDowell which 
was earlier. He died at New Haven January 26, 1829. 

The indefatigable nature of the man and his skill in making use of all means for his advan- 




9/l''^c^^^^^<^ti ^^^^^^i 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 107 

In the midst of these perplexities it was ascertained that an 
invitation was about to be given to President Brown to take 
the presidency of Hamilton College at a salary of $1,800, a 
sum nearly double his emoluments at Dartmouth. By a man 
of different mould the offer would probably have been joyfully 
accepted as a welcome release from a hopeless burden. Mr. 
Marsh wrote him from Washington: 

Without saying at all what may be duty I will only ask you to take into 
consideration the position that with your abandonment will expire the remain- 
ing hopes of the friends of Dartmouth College. I do not know that this should 
deter you, as our prospects are already so much clouded. They are however 
yet such that I am not prepared to abandon the interests of the College though 
I am much perplexed to know what measures to adopt in order to promote 
them. 

A little later he wrote again: 

My own feelings and opinion have been that if you remain with us we 
ought to proceed directly forward as though nothing had happened, and 
pursue the course we marked out to ourselves the last Commencement. But 
should you leave us it would be impossible to supply your place so as still to 
go on in that way and we must necessarily abandon the pursuit, and can do 
no more than merely to perpetuate the corporation. ... Do you not 
think that if we abandon, Professor Adams can be provided for at Middle- 
bury, where it is likely many of our students will repair. If my brethren of 
the trustees and the executive choose to proceed I think I shall not hesitate. 

But President Brown, like his colleagues, was made of sterner 
stuff than to surrender or abandon the cause in its direst extrem- 
ity though he did not finally decline the invitation till summer. 
On the 1 8th of January he communicated to the Trustees at 

tage are shown by the following extracts from two letters written to his friend Dr. George C. 
Shattuck. Both are in the possession of Mrs. Allen Penniman Smith of Baltimore. 

The first is dated November 28, 1798. 

"I had to struggle with a weight of business and with very ill health for two months past; 
till within a very few days I have been wretched and more than half the time have been in 
torture with an affection of my stomach, which I have concealed as much as possible that I 
might not alarm my class, which is very numerous and respectable, and alarm my friends, 
but I had almost determined to yield to the complaint, when on a sudden after taking some 
pretty powerful medicine several days since, my complaint seemed to leave me, and this is 
the first evening which I have felt like myself for more than two months." 

The second was written December 20, 181 1. 

"I have lately added 52 volumes to my library of historical works, viz, Mavors' General 
History, 26 vols., Mavors' Voyages, 19 vols, and Hume's England, 8 vols. As my time is 
so taken up that I cannot read such lengthy works have set two pupils to reading in course 
and have requested them to fix a kind of index to everything relating to medicine or medical 
men to be found in the several works so that I hope to reap some advantage from the books 
tho' they are not medical." Early History of the New Hampshire Medical Institution with a 
Sketch of its Founder, Nathan Smith, by O. P. Hubbard, 1880. 



io8 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

Washington his views of the course to be taken at Hanover, 
and on the 28th Mr. Marsh thus replies: 

I was much gratified last evening by the perusal of your letter of the i8th 
instant to Mr. Thompson. You seem to me to have arrived at the same 
conclusion to which my mind has been tending ever since I knew of the passage 
of the act of your legislature relative to Dartmouth College. I can really 
perceive no middle course for us to pursue. We must maintain our possession 
and discharge our duties as though nothing had happened, or at once abandon 
the thing altogether. I believe with you that Dr. Wheelock's men regard 
this last measure as a device with which to frighten us rather than as a law 
which they can ever execute. I do not well perceive how they can drive 
us out of possession, they may indeed take forcible possession of the library 
and apparatus, and drive the students out of college, but they cannot retain 
the possession. The students can go out peaceably and immediately return 
again and pursue their studies, and the executive may again in due season, 
should it be thought expedient, possess themselves of the library. But I do 
not think they will dare attempt any such violent measure. Should we 
abandon and thereby permit the College to be destroyed, and in the course 
of a few months find that this was unnecessary, and that the public would have 
justified us in a contrary course, I know not how we shall be able to justify 
our conduct to ourselves or others. 

If the students will adhere to their former instructors as I have no doubt 
they will, there can be no difficulty as to the possession. In this case if other 
officers are appointed they will have nothing to do, and cannot continue long. 
I cannot but trust that Divine Providence will so dispose events as that the 
path of duty may be plain before us. It is an object to keep possession at 
least till after another election. The Federalists or a better sort of democrats 
may become a dominant party. I am willing to put my feeble shoulder to 
the wheel and do whatever I can either in point of property or personal exertion. 

Dr. McFarland wrote from Concord on the 22d of January : 

I am at present disposed to go on under our present charter and take the 
consequences. I believe the penal act was intended as a scarecrow, and that 
it cannot be carried into effect. ... I believe a strong current has set 
in against the late College acts, violent measures will not succeed. They 
destroy themselves and prove the downfall of those who adopt them. . . . 
There are many who feel a deep interest in the College, and I believe it becomes 
a more interesting object daily. I do hope, and I feel some confidence that 
a way of escape will be found for the College. I cannot think that it will 
be suffered to fall into the hands of Gov. Plumer and his friends, and this 
appears to be the prevailing opinion among the pious part of the community 
here. 

Judge Farrar wrote January 26, 1817: 

In my present opinion I concur with Judge Paine that it is best to proceed 
as heretofore without regarding the law at all. We cannot, and I believe 
none of us wish to avoid a legal decision of the question whether the State 
legislature can destroy or disannul the former charter, and the sooner that 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 109 

question is decided the better it will be for the College. It appears to me 
that the same question will arise under the present act as under the former. 
If the legislature cannot annul the charter they cannot make it penal to retain 
the name, hold the property and pursue the business therein specified. By 
the last act no contest can be produced between the State and the corporation. 
It gives an action to a common informer to recover a penalty of $500. I 
think we can meet with no trouble from that law, unless some individual 
should commence an action ... to recover the penalty. In that case 
that would be a civil contest for a sum of money between two individuals 
the determination of which would lead to a decision of the question which 
we wish decided, and we should be the party defendant, which would place 
us in as eligible a situation as we could desire. 

There was, indeed, a strong and growing feeling among the 
people in favor of the College. It was especially marked among 
the clergy and the religious portion of the community who 
were overwhelmingly on that side. The Hopkinton Association 
recommended to their churches to observe the first Tuesday 
in February, as a day of special prayer for the College. In 
answer to the appeal for pecuniary assistance, contributions 
came in from unexpected quarters. On February 4, 1817, 
the Union Consociation, being in session at the center parish 
in Hanover, Dr. Asa Burton of Thetford moved to spend an 
hour in prayer for Dartmouth College.^ "He observed that 
the institution if overthrown, instead of being a nursery of 
piety would probably be the reverse, that there was no other 
resource to defeat the adversary but by prayer to God who 
can do all things; and that the Consociation at Hopkinton had 
set apart this day a portion of time for the same object. The 
motion was objected to on account of the ministers going out 
to lodge, it being half past ten o'clock; they then adjourned to 
the next morning at sunrise for that purpose." The writer 
from whose letter the foregoing is taken, adds, "it is so cold 
that the ink freezes in my pen, by a good fire." 

In the meantime Mr. Olcott, as directed by the Board, had 
made upon Mr. Woodward, October 7, 1816, formal demand 
for the College records, seal and other property which Mr. 
Woodward declined to surrender, "claiming to hold them as 
Secretary and Treasurer of the Corporation only for the use of 
the rightful trustees and subject to their orders. "^ 

It had been contemplated that an action at law should imme- 
diately follow, but it was delayed by the uncertainties bred by the 
agitation of these new questions. As soon as they were in some 

1 Letter of J. Freeman, Jr. 2 Shirley, p. 117. 



no History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. x. 

degree settled, preparations for commencing the suit were re- 
newed. In doing do, as the State Court might be expected to 
sustain the legislature if possible, there was great anxiety so to 
frame the pleadings that the cause might eventually reach the 
Supreme Court of the United States. The following correspond- 
ence betrays the anxiety as to the method which it was best to 
pursue. 

Judge Paine wrote to President Brown January 6, 1817: 

If we are obliged to resort to the courts of Justice to obtain our rights I think 
the sooner it is done the better. I have however hoped that if we could be 
enabled to persevere a year or two in our present situation it would appear 
evident that the new plan would not succeed and that it would be abandoned 
as a hopeless project. Although I have no doubt what the law is upon the 
subject, yet so many revolutionary opinions have entered into the heads of the 
best men of late years, that it is impossible to say what it will be pronounced to 
be by the competent tribunal. I have never perceived however that the Su- 
preme Court of United States have embraced any revolutionary doctrines in 
their public decisions, still if I could get along without an appeal to the law I 
should prefer it, but I do not know that it will be possible. I should place full 
reliance upon Judge Smith's opinion and should advise Mr. Olcott (who is 
clothed with sufificient authority) to pursue the advice he may give after full 
consideration of the subject. 

Mr. Marsh was in much doubt about the form of action, as 
may be seen from his letter from Washington to President Brown 
January 6, 1817: 

If any suit should be instituted by us it will be of much importance that it 
should be such an one, and instituted and conducted in such a manner as to 
the pleadings &c. that it may in the last resort be carried to the Supreme Court 
of the United States. 

Judge Smith, under date of January 26, 1817, replying to 
Mr. Olcott, refused to advise as to the policy of instituting any 
suit, but said, "if a suit has been wisely determined on I do not 
think from what I have heard of the acts of the last session that 
any reason exists for abandoning that intention. ... It 
seems to me proper by all means, if any suit is to be brought, not 
to pass by the State courts, for reasons which will readily occur 
to you. I have not yet ingenuity enough to think of any other 
form of action but trover for the books, &c, and assumpsit for 
money in the name of the corporation." Acting under this 
advice Mr. Olcott on February 8, 1817, instituted in the name of 
the Trustees an action of trover, in the Common Pleas of Grafton 
County, for the college records, books and seal, laying damages 
at $50,000. Judge Woodward being himself the presiding judge, 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. iii 

proper pleas were filed to carry the actions directly to the Superior 
Court, where it was entered at the May term. The Trustees 
of the University at their meeting on the 2d of the same month 
assumed the defense, and authorized the employment of counsel. 

The first meeting of the University Board under the amended 
law was held at Mason's hall in Concord on February 4, 18 17, 
upon notification sent out by the Governor, December 20 pre- 
ceding, promptly after the passage of the enabling act. Several 
vacancies had occurred among the Trustees. Judge Woodbury 
had withdrawn on his accession to the bench; Mr. Jacob had died 
and Messrs. Josiah Bartlett and Hubbard had resigned. Their 
places were filled by Messrs. John Harris, Moses Eastman, Salma 
Hale and Ichabod Bartlett. A quorum was secured on the 6th 
and an organization effected, a principal object of the meeting 
being to cast out the opposing members of the Board and execu- 
tive officers of the College. Charges were brought in by a com- 
mittee named for the purpose, Messrs. Durell, Harris and Darling, 
and citation issued for their appearance at an adjourned session 
February 22 at the same place. The charges against the Presi- 
dent, the Trustees and the Professors, drawn out in four specifi- 
cations in each case, varied somewhat in form, but were all to 
the intent that the different officers had not submitted to the 
authority of the legislature, and in various ways, by refusing 
summons to appear at the meetings of the University Board and 
by proceeding under the old charter, had done "certain acts and 
things" contrary to their duty, by which the "University has 
suffered great injury. " 

None of the respondents appeared at the time set, though 
Messrs. Adams and Shurtleff filed a reply dated February 20 
and on the same day with President Brown issued an address to 
the Governor and Trustees of the University in which, after 
acknowledging the receipt of the charges against them, they 
expressed their doubts as to the validity of the acts of the legis- 
lature without their acceptance by the charter Trustees, and 
proceeded as follows:^ 

Our doubts on this subject have arisen not merely from our own under- 
standing of the constitution of this State and of the United States, but also 
from the opinion of a very large portion of the community, comprising, as we 
believe, a great majority of the ablest law characters in this and the neighboring 
States. These doubts have received no small degree of confirmation from the 
arguments and reasons adduced by the minority of the House of Representa- 
tives in their Protest against the act of June; from the doubts entertained on 

Wew Hampshire Gazette, March 25, 1817. 



112 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

the subject by His Excellency the Governor and the Honorable Council as 
implied in their application to the Judges of the Supreme Court for their 
opinion; and from the answer of the said Judges, in which they expressly state 
that they had not formed any opinion on the question. 

With this view of the subject therefore, we deem it our duty to wait the 
result of an appeal to the judicial tribunals, which has recently been made by 
the charter Trustees. The Judiciary we consider an essential and independent 
branch of the sovereignty, and that branch, which alone is competent to a 
final determination of this question; and to their decision, whenever obtained, 
and whatever it may be, we shall readily conform. 
We have the honor to be 
Your Excellency's and your 
Honors' most obedient and 
Humble Servants, 

Francis Brown, 
Roswell Shurtleff, 
Ebenezer Adams. 
February 20, 181 7. 

At the meeting of February 22 Professors Adams and Shurtleff 
were removed, also President Brown from both the presidency 
and the trusteeship, and Messrs. Farrar, McFarland and Payson 
were removed from the Board of Trust. For some unexplained 
reason there was a delay in the case of Messrs. Niles, Marsh, 
Thompson and Paine, but they were likewise removed at the 
annual meeting in August. Proceedings against the Rev. John 
Smith were still further postponed from time to time, perhaps 
with the hope that he would be reconciled, but when in August, 
1818, an attempt was made to serve a notice upon him he de- 
clined to receive the communication and forthwith shared the 
fate of his brethren. 

The President and Professors after their removal from office 
issued an address to the public in which they stated their attitude 
with great clearness and explicitness, and stated more fully the 
reasons given in their address of the 20th to the Trustees. It was 
dated February 28, and not only appeared in the public prints 
but was circulated as a broadside handbill. 

An Address of the Executive Officers of Dartmouth College to the 
Public 

As the undersigned after the most serious and mature consideration have 
determined to retain the offices which they received by the appointment of the 
Trustees of Dartmouth College, and not voluntarily to surrender at present 
any property committed to them, nor to relinquish any privileges pertaining 
to their offices, they believe it to be a duty which they owe to the publick, no 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 113 

less than to themselves, to make an explicit declaration of the principles by 
which they are governed. 

They begin by stating the two following positions as maxims of political 
morality which they deem incontrovertible. 

1. It is wrong under any form of Government for a citizen or subject to 
refuse compliance with the will of the sovereign power when that will is fully 
expressed, except in cases where the rights of conscience are invaded or where 
oppression is practised to such an extreme degree that the great ends of civil 
government are defeated or highly endangered. 

2. Under a free government, where the Sovereignty is exercised by several 
distinct branches, whose respective powers are created and defined by written 
constitutions, cases may arise in which it will be the duty of the citizen to 
delay conforming to the ordinances of one branch until the other branches shall 
have had opportunity to act. If for example the legislative branch should 
transcend its legitimate power, and assume to perform certain acts which the 
constitution had assigned to the province of the Judicial branch, a citizen 
injuriously affected by those acts might be bound, not indeed forcibly to resist 
them, but in the manner pointed out by law to make an appeal to the judiciary 
and to await its decision. 

The undersigned deem it unnecessary in this place to detail the provisions of 
the acts of the honorable legislature, passed in June and December A.D. 1816, 
relating to this institution. These acts are before the public and are generally 
understood. 

The Board of Trustees as constituted by the charter of 1769 at their annual 
meeting in August last took into consideration the act of June and adopted a 
resolution not to accept its provisions. They find the law fully settled and 
recognized in almost every case which has arisen wherein a corporation, or any 
member or officer is a party, that no man or body of men is bound to accept 
or act under any grant or gift of corporate power and privileges, and that no 
existing corporation is bound to accept, but may decline or refuse to accept 
any act or grant conferring additional power or privileges, or making any 
restrictions or limitations of those they already possess: and in case a grant 
is made to individuals, or to a corporation without application, it is to be 
regarded not as an act obligatory or binding upon them but as an offer or 
proposition to confer such power and privileges or the expression of a desire 
to have them accept such restrictions, which they are at liberty to accept or 
reject. If the doctrine contained in this paragraph be correct, and of its 
correctness the undersigned after ascertaining the opinions of eminent jurists 
in most of the New England states, entertain no doubt, the act of June, and of 
course the acts of December, have become inoperative in consequence of the 
non acceptance of them by the chartered Trustees, and the provisions of these 
acts are not binding upon the corporation or its officers. We take the liberty 
to add that in our opinion the reasons assigned by the Trustees in the preamble 
before mentioned for not accepting the act of June, are very important and 
amply sufficient. Indeed it has even appeared to us that the changes proposed 
to be introduced into the charter by the acts in question would have proved 
highly inauspicious to the welfare of this institution, and ultimately injurious 
to the interests of literature throughout our country. 

The Trustees appointed agreeably to the provisions of the act of June have 



114 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

however thought proper to organize without the concurrence of the charter 
Trustees, and to perform numerous decisive acts. 

At a meeting in Concord on the fourth instant they brought several speci- 
fications of charges against the undersigned, and at an adjourned meeting 
holden on the 22nd instant they proceeded to displace, discharge and remove 
them from their respective offices in Dartmouth University. A similar pro- 
ceeding was adopted against four of the Trustees acting under the charter. 

Unless we greatly mistake in the view already expressed of the act of June, 
the votes of the University Trustees removing us from office are wholly unau- 
thorized, and destitute of any legal effect : and we are still, as we have uni- 
formly claimed to be, officers of Dartmouth College under the charter of 1769. 

The charter Trustees having resolved to assert their corporate rights, and 
having for this purpose recently commenced a suit against their late Secretary 
and Treasurer, in the issue of which it is expected the question between them 
and their competitors will be finally settled, the undersigned being united with 
them in opinion, in principle and in feeling, cannot consent to abandon them 
or to perform any act which may prejudice their claims while this suit is pend- 
ing. They must therefore proceed as officers of Dartmouth College to dis- 
charge their prescribed duties. They are sensible of their obligation to render 
submission to the law, and their first enquiry, in the case before them has been, 
what is law? The result is a full conviction in their own minds that the 
course they have concluded to adopt is strictly legal and that no other course 
would be consistent with their duty. If they err their error will shortly be 
corrected by the decision of our highest judicial tribunals, and with this decision 
they will readily comply. In the mean time while the appeal is made to the 
law of their country, and to the constitution of their State and of the United 
States, which are the Supreme law, they trust that none of their fellow citizens 
will have the unkindness to charge them with a want of respect to the govern- 
ment under which they live. As soon as the will of the government shall be 
fairly expressed they will render to it a prompt obedience. 

The undersigned are placed in a situation singularly difficult and highly 
responsible. To them it seems to be allotted, in divine providence, to perform 
a part which in its consequences may deeply affect the interests not only of 
this institution, but of all similar institutions in this country. And although 
they are fully conscious of their own inability to perform this part in a manner 
worthy of its importance, yet they are fully resolved, relying on divine assist- 
ance not to shrink from any duty or any danger which it may involve. 

The penal act of December they cannot but regard as unnecessarily severe, 
nor do they see what purpose it was calculated to answer, except to influence 
them, by the prospect of embarrassing suits, to an abandonment of their trust. 
They are aware that men may be disposed to multiply prosecutions against 
them, and to despoil them of the little property they possess: but they believe 
themselves called in providence not to shun this hazard as they cannot recon- 
cile it with their obligation to the institution under their care to relinquish the 
places they occupy until it shall be ascertained that they cannot rightfully 
retain them. 

As the University Trustees have expressed a great regard for the laws the 
undersigned have a right to expect that neither they nor any agents appointed 
by them will resort to illegal measures to seize on the college buildings and 
property. Should such measures unhappily be adopted, the undersigned will 





^/^^-._- 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 115 

make no forcible resistance, it not being a part of their policy to repel violence 
by violence. They will quietly withdraw when they cannot peaceably retain 
possession, and with the best accommodations they can procure will continue 
to instruct the classes committed to them until the prevalence of other counsels 
shall procure a repeal of the injurious act, or until the decision of the law shall 
convince them of their error, or restore them to their rights. 

Francis Brown 
Ebenezer Adams 

ROSWELL ShURTLEFF. 

February 28, 1817. 

The Trustees of the University determined also to present 
their case to the pubHc, and at the meeting of February 22 ap- 
pointed a committee, consisting of Messrs. Harris, Woodward 
and Allen, "to draft an address to the public in the name of this 
board, on the present state and prospects of the University and 
report the same at the next meeting, . . . and to address in 
behalf of this board letters to the several members of College, 
their parents or guardians and to such others as they may think 
proper, informing them of the present state of things at the 
University and of the views and intentions of this board so far 
as they may be interested therein. " 

The Faculty of the University had been organized at the 
earlier meeting in February by the appointment of the Rev. 
William Allen of Pittsfield, Mass., Wheelock's son-in-law, as 
Professor of Logic and Metaphysics, and Nathaniel H. Carter 
as Professor of Languages. At the second meeting, after the 
removal of the old Faculty, John Wheelock was named President, 
and James Dean was chosen Professor of Mathematics and 
Philosophy in place of Professor Adams. Mr. Allen, having 
declined the professorship of Logic and Metaphysics, was now 
chosen Phillips Professor of Divinity in place of Professor Shurt- 
leff, and as the President was in feeble health the duties of the 
presidency were devolved upon Mr. Allen during Dr. Wheelock's 
illness. At the meeting, June 12, Thomas C. Searle was elected 
Professor of Logic and Metaphysics, and President Wheelock 
having died, Mr. Allen was made President. 

President Wheelock by a deed of February i, 181 7 conveyed to 
the University five farms in Sharon and Strafford, Vt., and two 
houses in Hanover and released to it his existing claims. The 
whole was valued by his estimation at $20,000. At noon on 
April 4 he died, at the age of 63. He had been long afflicted with 
a disorder that the physicians called a "dropsy of the chest." 
For many months he had been able to rest at night only by being 



Ii6 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. x. 

bolstered up in his bed, and for several weeks he suffered from 
a violent cough. He left by his will a considerable amount 
of other property to the University for the endowment of a 
Professorship of Mathematics and Natural and Experimental 
Philosophy, and a Professorship of the Languages, or of Logic, 
Metaphysics and Ethics. 

Both deed and will were conditioned to become void in case 
the acts of 1816 relative to the University should be rendered 
nugatory or be altered or repealed at any future time excepting with 
the consent of the Board of Trustees as then constituted, and in such 
an event the property or its proceeds was to pass to the General 
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, to be 
applied at their discretion to the use of the Theological Seminary 
at Princeton, N. J. Claiming the right to nominate by will his 
successor in the Presidency of Moor's School, he appointed as 
such the President of Dartmouth University for the time being. 

Dr. Wheelock was unfortunate in temper, and in a supreme 
self-sufificient obstinacy, by which in his determination to have 
his own way at all hazards, he excited general hostility. He was 
fond of money, and careful about interest, which he often exacted 
at usurious rates, and by means not always irreproachable. 
Even his veracity was sometimes questioned. He was stern in the 
enforcement of his rights, and much of the best property in the 
village fell into his hands by foreclosure. Besides the estate 
derived from his father, he acquired a handsome property by 
marriage. This with the gains of his careful management en- 
abled him to leave a large property in lands and ground-rents. 
It will readily be inferred that he was not a favorite with his 
neighbors; even from his own brothers he was entirely estranged. 
Nor did he retain the love or respect of the students. He affected 
an involved, pedantic style of speech that exposed him to ridicule, 
and was sometimes ungrammatical and unintelligible. He had 
not been educated for the ministry, and his manner of conducting 
the daily chapel exercises furnished no end of amusement to his 
auditors. Certain of his prayers are commonly quoted to this 
day. He was accustomed to draw them out to a goodly length, 
deriving his material from all sorts of extraordinary sources. 
Having one day chanced to attend some experiment in the chem- 
istry of gases he thanked the Lord in his next chapel prayer for 
the elements in detail; "We thank thee O Lord for the oxygen 
gas; we thank thee O Lord for the hydrogen gas; we thank thee 
O Lord for the nitrogen gas and for all the gases." At another 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 117 

time he was impressed in the same way by the wonders of anat- 
omy and expressed his gratitude in like form "for the cerebrum, 
for the cerebelkim and for the medulla oblongata. " The impres- 
sion made upon those who knew him may be gathered from 
several accounts given by those who were students under him. 
Rev. Stephen Farley of the class of 1804 wrote thus of him:^ 

It was his habit to speak in a stiff and affectedly elevated style; to assume 
some empirical airs of the polite gentleman; to exact attention from others 
and to pay for them by making superfluous bows, and lighting up his face with 
smiles, while he gracefully lifted and waved his tri-cornered beaver. Not- 
withstanding the stilt-walking character of his style he acquitted himself well 
in his lectures, which were always unwritten. He seldom hestitated for a 
word or uttered an imperfect sentence. His lectures (delivered on Saturday 
afternoons) were theological and ecclesiastico-historical. 

He was exceedingly industrious, and for years labored incessantly in writing 
various works designed for publication, none of which however saw the light. 
Isaiah Thomas once about 1798 offered him $1,000 for one of his treatises, but 
the offer was declined, as he thought he could do better. 

In personal presence he made in his prime a good appearance. His stature 
was of the average, his shoulders rather broad, and he was very erect. He had 
a light complexion; abundant brown hair, clubbed behind, and parted in the 
middle of the forehead. His nose was large and aquiline; his eyes bright, and 
his eyebrows and mouth rather uncommonly elongated. 

He wore a dun colored coat as often as a black one; and always small clothes 
and white stockings; and, when the weather required, a drab double-breasted 
great coat. The barber visited his study twice a week, and so at prayers on 
Wednesday and Saturday evenings he appeared all shaven and shorn with a 
sprinkling of powder on the crown of his head. 

Samuel Swift of the class of 1800 thus speaks of President 
Wheelock:2 

His instructions were confined to the senior class and he was not regarded 
by them as a popular or profitable teacher. His knowledge and his instructions 
were mostly confined to the book. He was much of a recluse and mingled little 
in public or private with the world, and seemed to know little of it. He af- 
fected a stiff dignity towards the students and in all his movements. His walks 
abroad, across the common or elsewhere, with his three cornered hat, were in 
slow and measured steps. When I had occasion to call at his study I rapped 
at the door and for a minute or more no sound was heard within until at last 
came the solemn "come in" and I always found him sitting at his table, generally 
with a folio blank book before him. 

I stood until I had done my errand and heard the reply and the enquiry if 
I had anything further to say, and walked out. 

The Trustees in their arraignment of President Wheelock gave 
him the credit for being in the early years of his presidency a 

» The Dartmouth, 1843, p. 288. 2 The Dartmouth, 1872, p. 399. 



Il8 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

hard student, but they characterized his later methods of instruc- 
tion as wholly perfunctory, and confined closely to the text book 
and to such questions as, "what does the author say on such a 
page?" and the like, and they charged him with suppressing 
enquiry by ridicule and sarcasm.^ 

George Ticknor of the class of 1807 made this record in his 
memoirs •? 

Doctor Wheelock was stiff and stately. He read constantly, sat up late and 
got up early. He talked very gravely and slow, with a falsetto voice. Mr. 
Webster could imitate him perfectly. ... He was one of the most for- 
mal men I ever knew. I saw a great deal of him from 1802 to 18 16 in his own 
house and my father's, but never felt the smallest degree of familiarity with 
him, nor do I believe that any of the students did. They were generally very 
awkward, unused to the ways of the world. Many of them when they went to 
the President on their little affairs did not know when the time had come for 
them to get up and leave him. He was ver>' covetous of his time, and when 
the business was settled, and he had waited a little while he would say, "will 
you sit longer, or will you go now?" It was a recognized formula, and no 
young man that I ever knew of, ever sat longer after hearing it. 

"It was pleasantly said that he suffered no man to have the 
last bow. This it was reported, was put to the test by a person 
of some assurance who undertook to compete with him in a con- 
test of politeness. He accordingly took his leave, bowed himself 
out of the mansion, and continued to bow as long as he was upon 
the premises, but the President followed him to the gate, and 
remained in possession of the field. "^ 

President Wheelock was energetic, determined and laborious, 
but he was not a man of large intellectual powers or great attain- 
ments. He lacked generosity and breadth of view, and regarded 
all matters as they affected him personally. All with whom he 
had to do were considered either as friends or foes, as supporters 
or opponents. That he was devoted to the College in the earlier 
years of his presidency there can be no doubt, but as time went 
on this devotion passed into a sense of ownership, so that to dis- 
agree with him was to be hostile to the College. He inherited 
from his father an intense will, amounting to a spirit of domina- 
tion, but what in his father had been relieved by wide sympathies 
and far reaching plans was in him narrowed to personal and 
private affairs. The narrowness of his purpose was not offset 
by scholarship or learning. The Sketches, his eulog>- on Professor 
Smith, and his youthful essay on "Painting, Music and Poetry," 

' Vindication, pp. 55, and 81. • Life of Dr. A. Alexander, p. 259. 

> Vol. I, p. S. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 119 

his only extant publications, disclose a mind at once superficial, 
illogical, and unable to discriminate as to the value of what it 
used. A show of learning covers an essential weakness of judg- 
ment. It was the misfortune of President Wheelock to be in a 
position that demanded larger powers than he possessed, yet he 
would have held it to the end of his life, and not without con- 
siderable credit, if his contracted sympathies and inability to 
appreciate an honest difference of opinion had not driven him to 
antagonize every one who did not fall in with his wishes. His 
antagonisms were more bitter and more protracted as he ad- 
vanced in years, so that, as has been seen, for the last twenty 
years of his life he was engaged in one public controversy after 
another. Yet he had pleasant personal qualities and had some 
devoted friends and supporters. 

The death of President Wheelock did something to soften for 
the time the local asperities of the controversy. His funeral, 
which took place on Tuesday, April 8, was attended by a great 
concourse of people from Hanover and neighboring towns. After 
a prayer at his residence by the Rev. Mr. Town of the Center 
parish, a procession moved to the meeting house where a funeral 
sermon was preached by the Rev. David Sutherland of Bath. 
President Wheelock was survived by his wife and an only child, 
Maria Malville, who was the wife of President Allen. Mrs. Wheel- 
ock survived her husband seven years. Removing with her 
son-in-law to Brunswick, Me., in 1820, she died there February 
16, 1824, and was brought home to Hanover for burial. Her 
maiden name was Maria Suhm, and her father, of a New Jersey 
family, was Christian Suhm, Governor of St. Thomas, W. I. 

On March 26, 181 7, the College Trustees convened in special 
session at Hanover. Judge Jacob having died in February, 
Moses P. Payson of Bath was elected in his stead. In calling the 
meeting (February 24) President Brown notified Governor Plumer 
with the rest. The Governor thus replied : 

Epping, (N. H.) March 5th 1817. 

Sir, — Last evening I received your letter dated the 24th of February last, 
and postmarked "Windsor Feby 25," requesting my attendance as trustee of 
Dartmouth college at your dwelling house in Hanover on Wednesday the 26th 
day of March the next. 

To this summons, my respect for you as a private gentleman, induces me to 
return you an explicit but friendly answer. I shall not attend your proposed 
meeting, because I consider it illegal. If I should attend & act with you upon 
the particular subject mentioned in your letter, I think, it would subject me to 
the penalty of the law of this State passed December 26, 1816. 



120 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

I indulge the hope, that upon mature reflection, you will form the same 
opinion yourself, & decline further opposition to the laws of your country. 
You will, I trust, excuse me from [sic] stating a few considerations that induce 
this hope. 

The charter of Dartmouth University, or if you please Dartmouth college 
(for they are only different names for the same institution) requires that an occa- 
sional or special meeting should be appointed &" notified by the President or 
three trustees "one month before said meeting." This notice has not been 
given. I did not receive it a month before the time assigned for the meeting. 

At the time when you signed the notice you were not the President of that 
institution. You were, by the trustees, removed from that office on the 
twenty second day of February last; of which, I presume, you have before this 
received due notice from the Secretary. 

The particular business you assign for the proposed meeting is to supply 
the vacancy occasioned in the board of trustees by the death of the Hon. 
Stephen Jacob. That vacancy is already supplied; last December a new 
trustee was duly appointed in his place. 

As you have appealed to the "judicial tribunals" to decide the constitution- 
ality of the laws of this State upon this institution, & personally pledged your- 
self to conform to its decision whatever it might be, I did not expect you would 
have taken such a course as you now propose. 

Whatever difference of opinion may subsist between us upon this subject, 
you will permit me to assure you, that I am with much personal respect and 
esteem, 

Sir, 

your most obedient 
humble servant 

William Plumer. 
Rev'd Francis Brown, 

Hanover, N. H. 

At their meeting, February 22, the University Trustees ap- 
pointed Col. Amos A. Brewster, Gen. James Poole and Dr. 
Cyrus Perkins superintendents of the buildings. Till now the 
College had been undisturbed in the occupancy of its buildings, 
and all had been quiet in the village. But as soon as the Uni- 
versity Board was organized trouble began. The spring term of 
the College was to open on the 3d of March and it was determined 
to oust it from the possession of the buildings. The following 
account of their seizure is taken from the local paper :^ 

On the 28th these three gentlemen called on President Brown and demanded 
the key of the chapel, which was of course refused. On Saturday March ist 
they made a similar demand in writing for the key of the library from Professor 
Shurtleff, who replied, "as I received the key of the library from the Trustees 
of Dartmouth College who still claim a legal existence, and are appealing to the 
laws of our country for the defence of their rights, I do not deem it duty at 
present to desert them, and therefore cannot comply with your request." 

^Dartmouth Gazette, March s, 1817. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 121 

On the same day with two assistants, one Lemuel Cook a stone layer, the 
other a joiner, they proceeded to the chapel, introduced one of their number 
into a window, forced the door and put on a lock of their own. They then 
proceeded to the principal College building (Dartmouth Hall), were soon 
heard at work in the upper story apparently with hammers, augurs, chisels 
and hatchets, and about half an hour later were found in the bell room, No. 
10 in the upper story. There were several boys with them, and among others 
some or all the aborigines who are in this place for the purpose of acquiring 
civilized habits. The implements by which they made their entrance lay near 
the door. They put upon the door a lock of their own. Soon after they were 
found in the museum to the number of 8 or lo, it is believed they had the key 
of this room. About this time they sent the demand for the key of the library 
which was, as expected, refused. After securing as they supposed the passage 
into the belfry they came down into the middle story forced with a bar of iron 
the door of the library, and secured this also with a new lock. 

At about midnight on the Sunday night following a hammering was heard 
in the building, and the same gentlemen were found spiking the key holes of 
the Philosophy room, and Society Hall, and completing their work in the 
upper story, after which Prof. Perkins and Esq. Brewster directed their 
course towards President Wheelock's. 

The term began the next day and the College officers being 
thus driven out of the college buildings promptly procured a 
hall, then known as Rowley Assembly Rooms, contiguous to the 
College, on the second floor of a building occupied by Mr. Stewart 
as a hat store. This they made use of as a chapel, and repaired 
thither on Monday morning, the students being summoned by a 
horn, of which they had been notified in advance, as they were 
shut out from the use of the bell as well as from other accommo- 
dations. "It was a pleasing though solemn sight," said the 
Gazette, "to see the students, who before had been accustomed 
at the return of a season of study to flock to chapel at the welcome 
sound of the bell, now punctually flocking to this retreat of per- 
secuted innocence. The sun had just risen and the morning 
was clear and still." The business of the term began and Instruc- 
tion was given to all the classes as usual. The students num- 
bered at this time about 130, in addition to the medical students, 
and, with few exceptions, adhered to the old College, notwith- 
standing the special appeal ordered by the University Trustees 
to be addressed to their parents. 

The University term opened on Wednesday evening, March 
5, with prayers in the chapel, attended by seven persons, viz: 
Professor Allen, Professor Dean, Dr. Cyrus Perkins, Gen. James 
Poole, and one other inhabitant of the place, a stranger acciden- 
tally here, and one student lately a member of the senior class in 



122 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

the College.^ The University party, however, was not disheart- 
ened. On March 19, 1817, Professor Allen wrote to Rev. Dr. 
Jedidiah Morse of Boston: 

Two Seminaries are at present in operation. Owing to circumstances and 
exertions, which I have not time to explain, most of the students attend upon 
the former officers, though some, who have expressed their feelings to me, 
have gone with a heavy heart. We have each a small class and the college 
buildings. There will probably be eight or nine to graduate, even (which is 
not to be supposed) should none return to us after the decision of the court, 
presuming it to be in our favor. Professors Dean and Carter are both emi- 
nently qualified for their stations. Mr. B. it is expected will be chosen for 
Middlebury. 

After the beginning of the term the bell sounded for the Uni- 
versity but served the College as well, and, notwithstanding the 
deep and bitter feeling that pervaded the community, there were 
no collisions. The recitations of the senior class were heard by 
President Brown in Rowley Hall,^ while the other classes were 
accommodated at students' rooms fitted with proper seats, the 
freshmen meeting at Joseph Porter's room in a small one story 
building that stood north of Professor ShurtlefT's house. 

The representative from Hanover Plain to the General Court 
in 1816 was General James Poole. He was exceedingly active 
against the College, and a determined and successful effort was 
made to effect a change. Among other expedients to bring 
about this end was the voluntary assistance of the students. A 
member of the class of 1820 thus recounts the proceeding i^ 

It was found on looking at the statutes that the students who were of age 
could vote. It had not been claimed. But now there was a strong desire that 
Hanover should send a representative who would promote the interests of the 
college as far as it could be done in a legislature largely in favor of the univer- 
sity. A rally was therefore made at the March meeting; and while only a few 
could claim a ballot, a large number of students went out to the town-meeting 
to insure protection and fair play. The students were allowed to vote, and 

^Dartmouth Gazelle, March lo, 1817. 

> This was a large building which stood just east of the present site of Rollins Chapel and 
north of Wentworth Hall, with its gable toward a lane that led over the crest of the hill and 
that was nearly a continuation of the present Wentworth Street. It was built in 1807 by 
Samuel H. G. Rowley, who used the lower story for a store and the upper story as a hall. When 
the College gave it up on recovering Dartmouth Hall it was used for students* rooms. In 1833 
it was bought by the College for $400, but was sold the next year (the College retaining the land) 
to Drs. Mussey and Oliver, who moved it to the present site of Wheeler Hall, and fitted it up 
for the accommodation of medical students. It was used as a private residence from 1854 
to 1904. when it was moved to the south side of Elm Street. Down to 1824 it was generally 
known as Rowley Hall, though sometimes called Stewart's Hall, from a temporary occupant, 
and Dartmouth Assembly Rooms. From 1824 to 1837 it was known as Brown Hall, when 
for a year it assumed the name of College House, after which it again became Brown Hall. 

'First Half Century of Dartmouth College, by Nathan Crosby, p. 47. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 123 

quiet reigned. Tit-for-tat, however, was the order of the times, and as soon 
as the May training came round, we found ourselves enrolled in the militia, 
and warned "to appear on parade at East Hanover, armed and equipped ac- 
cording to law, at nine of the clock A. M.," — a measure just as unheard of as 
the matter of voting. We thought we could get a day's fun out of it, but we 
had neither guns, knapsacks, nor canteens. Non-appearance would subject 
us to a penalty. Appearance without equipments would bring upon us various 
little fines we did not care to bear. We found, however, a provision of military 
law, that if the soldier was unable to furnish himself with the required equip- 
ments, he might apply to the selectmen for a supply; and, if not furnished by 
thern, upon his appearance on parade without them, fines should not be im- 
posed. We all applied for arms, but none came. We appeared at roll-call, 
and took our assigned place in the ranks at the tail end of the company. But 
we could not march to their music. We knew our college songs, and could 
keep time to them ; but the drtim and fife, the time and tramp, were too much 
for us — worse to learn than Greek; as bad as vulgar fractions or Enfield. 
When the captain, up at the head of the company, cried out "halt," we crowded 
up all around him to see what he wanted or what he was going to do, disturbing 
all rank and file, and getting up a general melee. The captain then took a 
new departure and re-formed his company, placing one old soldier and one 
student in succession; but this involved individual bickering, and appeals to 
the captain to settle the question whether a soldier should apologize for step- 
ping on the heel of the student forward of him, to the great hindrance of mili- 
tary improvement by interposing so much complaint and discipline. We had 
an hour for dinner, and when it was over we began to apply for relief from the 
afternoon service on account of various illnesses which were alleged, and so 
persistently insisted on, one after another, and so much time was consumed, 
that the captain dismissed his company, and we returned to the Plain with 
colors flying, having had a tramp of half a dozen miles and a jolly day. 

Our voting joke did not end in our military overture, for we were soon no- 
tified to work our tax upon the highway! We found we had twelve hours each, 
and the highway led from the college towards East Hanover, up the hill [di- 
rectly east of the college]. The surveyor was friendly to us; and, having raised 
a few hoes and shovels, out we went in squads of half a dozen, each of us having 
agreed to work for the other five, reducing our twelve to two hours; and at the 
end of the two hours, each rendered his account to the surveyor in this form: 
" I have worked two hours, and have had five others working for me two hours 
each." So the tax was crossed off', and we returned to our rooms again. We 
did work well the two hours, however, and all parties seemed satisfied. 

At the coming in of the legislature in June the seats of the mem- 
bers elected from Hanover, Benj. J. Gilbert and Augustus Storrs, 
Federalists and friends of the College, were contested by a mem- 
orial of Silas Tenney and others on the ground that a number of 
students had voted, but as the number was insufificient to affect 
the election the committee and the House refused to decide as to 
their right to vote, and the members-elect were seated. 

The action against Judge Woodward came up for hearing at 



124 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. x. 

Haverhill in May and was argued by Jeremiah Mason and Jere- 
miah Smith for the College, and on the part of the University by 
George Sullivan, the attorney-general, aided by Ichabod Bartlett. 
The pleadings being incomplete, and further argument desired, 
the case was continued to the September Term of Court at Exe- 
ter. Mr. Mason had in April been applied to by the University 
party, but of course would do nothing for them, though he had 
not at that time been definitely employed by the College and 
though he took occasion to say that he had not been consulted 
as to the action.^ Some of the board were desirous that the case 
should be argued by Mr. Webster, but it was of so much impor- 
tance fully to enlist the others that he was kept by his own choice 
in the background. 

The proceedings at Haverhill greatly encouraged the friends 
of the College. From the appearance of things on that occasion 
they thought it "almost impossible for the judge to render an 
adverse decision" i^ but the counsel knowing better the influences 
surrounding the court did not share in that confidence. As Mr. 
Webster expressed it, "It would be a queer thing if Gov. P.'s 
court should refuse to execute his laws." 

But while the contest was going on in the courts the two rival 
institutions went on with their daily business of instruction with 
some show of harmony — at least without any open outbreak. 
The general adherence of the students to the College served 
greatly to encourage its officers and friends, and the paucity of 
members of the University was correspondingly depressing to 
those connected with it. The amenities of social life were grad- 
ually and to some extent resumed. 

The Fourth of July was celebrated in an especial manner by 
the students with the aid of the citizens. An account of the 
celebration was given in the Dartmouth Gazette of July 9, 18 17. 

The Anniversary of our National birthday was commemorated in this place 
by the students of Dartmouth College, joined by a number of citizens. The 
procession formed at the College Chapel and proceeded to the meeting house. 
The Throne of Grace was addressed by the President of the College. An ora- 
tion was pronounced in a graceful and unaffected manner b}' Mr. B. Huntoon 
of the senior class. It was manly, elegant and literary. A Poem was delivered 
by Mr. Thomas C. Upham, member of the Junior class which for poetical 
diction, strength and vivacity of imagination, and melody of numbers we think 
has not been often surpassed by American bards. An original hymn and ode 
were sung by the Handel Society. 

1 Letter of J. W. Putnam to President Brown, April ii, 1817. 
' Shirley, pp. 148 and 238. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 125 

After the exercises at the meeting house the procession again formed and 
moved to the Dartmouth Hotel where about 80 partook of a dinner handsomely 
served up. Mr. White, Tutor in College, ofificiated as President of the day, 
and Mr. Woodbury, a resident graduate, as Vice President. The company were 
highly gratified with an original song written by Mr. Upham and sung by Mr. 
Temple of the Senior Class. In the course of the entertainment sundry toasts 
were given, interluded with music from the band. 

There were eighteen regular toasts besides volunteer speeches 
from Mr. Olcott, Maj. J. S. Lang and several others. 

The 2 1st of July was also a great occasion at Hanover. Presi- 
dent Monroe in the course of his journey from Concord westward 
passed through the place and was received with great eclat by 
all parties.^ 

The President had set out from Washington about the first of 
June and was well received all along the route. He was met at 
the southern boundary of Massachusetts by a military escort and 
conducted with great pomp to Boston where he was elaborately 
entertained for a week or more, including the Fourth of July. 
The corporation of Harvard College gave him a ceremonious 
reception in the chapel of the College, with a handsome address 
by President Kirkland and a Latin oration by Caleb Cushing, 
then a member of the senior class, and more formally invested 
him with the Doctorate of Laws. Dartmouth (both College and 
University) in August honored him with the same degree. 

From Boston the President went eastward by carriage toward 
Portsmouth. It had been expected that our State authorities, 
notwithstanding political differences, would be loath to be wanting 
in like courtesy, but Governor Plumer could not sink his preju- 
dices. He neither provided an official escort nor honored him 
with public recognition. The slight was somewhat relieved by 
the spontaneous action of local committees. The Governor was 
of course roundly criticised, and he made the matter worse by an 
explanatory letter mentioning his own ill health and a lack of 
authority to command the militia for such a purpose. This 
unfortunate behavior gave a chance for the cynics to say that, 
"His Excellency being tenacious of the honor of the State wisely- 
concluded that his own non-appearance in public would be at- 
tended with the least disgrace to his constituents." 

Hanover and its vicinity certainly did what it could to retrieve 
the error. The President with a company of three left Concord 
in a carriage early on Monday morning, July 21, and reached 

^Dartmouth Gazette, July 23, 1817. 



126 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

Lebanon village at four o'clock, P. M. He v/as met by a joint 
committee of arrangements from Hanover, Lebanon, Lyme, 
Hartford and Norwich, news of his approach being brought to 
Hanover by a swift horseman, Elijah Kimball, a student of the 
University. The committee was composed of fifteen members, 
headed by Mills Olcott, and William H. Woodward, representing 
the College and the University respectively. With the committee 
was "a numerous cavalcade consisting of two companies of cav- 
alry (Capts. Page and Hodgdon), commanded by Major J. S. 
Lang of Hanover, with all the officers of the 23d Regiment under 
Lt. Col. Cyrus Perkins (senior professor in the Medical School), 
and a great number of private citizens, all under the direction of 
Col. James Poole of Hanover as Chief Marshall." At six o'clock 
the noise of cannon, placed in the fields east of the College, an- 
nounced the approach to Hanover. The President left his car- 
riage and made his entry on horseback, in a cloud of dust, amid 
a great throng of spectators gathered from all the surrounding 
country. He was received by Capt. Converse's company of 
light infantry, and saluted by Capt. Carpenter's company of 
artillery. "Near the meeting house Monroe dismounted and 
passed to the Hotel through a line extending quite across the 
College Green." This line was composed in part, besides stu- 
dents and others, of "a beautiful group of young misses and 
masters fancifully ornamented with garlands of evergreen and 
roses." The artillery followed along behind, firing while in 
motion. The hotel was elegantly decorated and fitted up for the 
occasion. The President soon appeared on the balcony fronting 
the common, where he was formally addressed by Col. Brewster, 
and replied at some length. He afterwards called at the house 
of Esq. Olcott, and attended a party given by Mrs. President 
Allen at the old Wheelock Mansion, then in the height of its 
glory on the spot now occupied by Reed Hall. The President 
took tea and passed the evening there in the midst of a large and 
brilliant circle of ladies. He somewhat romantically renewed with 
Madam Wheelock an acquaintance begun years before her mar- 
riage, when he, then a lieutenant in the Revolutionary army, and 
wounded at the battle of Trenton, enjoyed her kind offices as 
volunteer nurse. At ten o'clock the same evening the entire 
party were received in becoming style by President Brown in 
his temporary residence (burnt a half century since), which stood 
on College Hill midway between the Observatory and Wentworth 
Hall, and finished the evening with conversation and music. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 127 

Next morning at seven the President resumed his journey to 
Burlington, and for two days his progress in Vermont was plainly 
indicated here by the roar of distant cannon. 

Commencement was celebrated by both parties on Wednesday, 
August 27. Both of course claimed the right to occupy the meet- 
ing house; and as it was understood that many gentlemen from 
abroad, prominent in literature and in politics, would be present 
to swell the ranks of either side, questions of time and place 
became of some importance. The pewholders of the meeting 
house where the exercises were regularly held were divided 
in their sympathies, though the majority adhered to the College. 
The danger of an unpleasant collision was considerable, especially 
as military gentlemen of the place (Gen. Poole and Cols. Brewster 
and Perkins), being of the University party, threatened to call 
out their companies in support of its claims. As early as Sunday 
it began to be rumored that they intended to take possession of 
the building, and the students of the College, not to be out-gen- 
eraled, at once garrisoned it in force (the Patriot says the garrison 
numbered sixty), and held it for three days and nights. It is 
certain that the students were the main actors in the affair, acting 
by regular reliefs and having their headquarters over the store of 
Gen. Poole, one of the chief University sympathizers. They were 
aided by several of Dr. Mussey's medical students, and by three 
stout men in the employment of Mr. Lang and Dea. Long. 
Several sympathizing graduates also gave assistance. Friends of 
the University came down in considerable numbers from the 
eastern part of the town during the first days of the week with a 
view, as was supposed, to attempt a rescue; but after viewing the 
situation retired without making an attack. The garrison made 
no secret of their preparations for defence. Every lower window 
was guarded by one or more with canes or clubs, and stones 
were carried to the upper windows and the belfry. 

President Brown for the sake of peace opened negotiations 
with President Allen for an arrangement by which both might 
use the house at different hours. ^ He offered on behalf of the 
College to begin at nine o'clock and end at one, but as the Uni- 
versity people insisted on having the precedence, which, as the 
College people were in possession of the meeting house, they were 
unable to enforce, no treaty was established. The College pro- 
cession, under the direction of Maj. Lang, moved at nine o'clock 
to the meeting house from President Brown's residence on the 

I Gazette, September 24, letter from Brown to Allen and reply. 



128 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

hill, and that of the University, marshaled by Col. Brewster, 
formed at President Allen's at eleven, and marched ten or twelve 
rods to the chapel in the College yard, which afforded them ample 
accommodations. From the College thirty-nine were graduated 
and eight from the University. Eleven medical students re- 
ceived the degree of M.D. from the College, having exhibited 
dissertations on the previous Monday evening in the College 
chapel (Rowley Hall). The University conferred the same 
degree upon nine, but two of whom, it v/as said, were present. 
The exercises of the University consisted of seven spoken orations, 
two in Latin, one in Greek, and four in English, followed by a 
eulogy on President Wheelock by Hon. Samuel C. Allen of Massa- 
chusetts. A letter of the time says that "the state of public 
feeling and curiosity drew from all parts of New England an unu- 
sual number of strangers," but that "the popular feeling of the 
moment was so much in favor of the College as to leave to the 
University no materials for a procession, and not spectators 
enough to fill the Chapel." 

The usual society anniversaries took place Monday and Tues- 
day, in the meeting house and in the new chapel of the College. 
The reports of these exercises in some of the newspapers, as if 
they appertained to the University, drew forth a remonstrance 
wherein it is stated that^ "not a single student of the University 
was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, or of the Handel 
Society, and but one of the Theological Society; and that the 
few students of the University who were members of the United 
Fraternity and Social Friends had no share in the offices or exer- 
cises of those societies." 

The clerical and other friends of the College were present in 
strong force. Rev. Daniel Dana delivered the concio ad clerum 
in the College chapel and on Commencement day "at a numerous 
meeting of the alumni and other friends. Rev. Asa Burton being 
Chairman and Daniel Dana, Secretary, a subscription paper was 
prepared and signed, and printed copies of the same were ordered 
to be circulated by the Chairman among the alumni and friends 
of the College abroad, as extensively as convenient, with a re- 
quest that they would employ all practicable exertion to promote 
its important and interesting object." At a collection taken in 
the church on that day there were received $58.67. 

There was present also a considerable number of prominent 
gentlemen friendly to the University, among them were Governor 

• Portsmouth Oracle, copied in Dartmouth Gazette, October 8, 1817. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 129 

Galusha and Lieutenant-Governor Brigham of Vermont, Hon. 
B. W. Crowninshield, secretary of the United States Navy, 
Judge Judah Dana of Fryeburgh, and Benjamin Austin, Esq., 
of Boston.^ The Trustees had a quorum for business; but the 
overseers still lacked a number sufficient to organize. 

The local paper thus notices the opening of the fall term:^ 

In the College under the direction of the old board of Trustees there are at 
present ninety five students; twenty six of whom have entered the two lower 
classes since Commencement. In the University there are at present fourteen 
students, four of whom have entered the two lower classes since Commence- 
ment. It is a fact worthy of notice that of these four not one of them belongs 
to this State, notwithstanding the legislature has passed several acts for en- 
larging and improving the corporation. Between fifty and sixty students, 
exclusive of the members of College, are attending the lectures of the Medical 
School. 

The disparity of numbers was such that the University stu- 
dents avoided issuing a catalogue; that of the College appeared 
in due season, as usual at the expense of the sophomore class, on 
a large broadside sheet, and beside it, for the sake of ridicule, a 
catalogue of the University, printed by the college boys on a 
little sheet about ten inches square, which, though perfectly 
accurate and straightforward in its matter, had from its size of 
sheet and its numbers all the appearance of a burlesque, and cor- 
respondingly enraged the university boys. This catalogue gave 
the names of twelve enrolled students, but four were absent, 
leaving eight in actual attendance. The medical students occu- 
pied an independent position, since neither the College nor the 
University collected any fees from them except the fee for gradu- 
ation, the regular fees for the lectures being the perquisites of the 
professors, yet in a way they claimed a connection with one or 
the other institution. In the catalogues of the "Dartmouth 
Medical Institution" for 181 7 and 181 8 there were five in each 
year who are classed as "members of the University," though 
only three of them were in the university classes. The feeling 
among the students is suggested by a letter from a medical stu- 
dent who was graduated in 1819.^ 

The University officers have attended the two public lectures. And a 
circumstance worthy of notice is that when Prest. B. enters the lecture room, 
the students rise instantly but when Prest. Allen comes they stick to 

^Dartmouth Gazette, September 17, 1817. 

'Dartmouth Gazette, October 15, 1817. 

3 John Rogers to S. Fletcher, October a, 1817. 



130 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

their seats like clods, not a person rises though his own pupils are present. 
When I see the two sets of officers in the lecture room, on the same 
seat (am I correct? or is it fancy?) I seem to behold in the countenances of the 
one a manly independence, self-approbation, perseverance and intrinsic merit; 
on the other hand, envious inferiority, self distrust, hesitating trepidation and 
a fear of approaching ill. 

On Friday, October 31, the officers and students of the College 
celebrated the " Centennial Jubilee of the Reformation by Martin 
Luther," at 2.30 P. M. in the meeting house with an "address by 
President Brown and appropriate music and other religious 
exercises."^ 

The College cause came on again at Exeter, September 19 and 
20, and was argued anew for the College by Messrs. Mason and 
Smith, who occupied two hours and four hours in their several 
pleas, and for the University by Messrs. Bartlett and Sullivan 
who together took three hours. Upon the urgent request of 
his colleagues, Mr. Webster closed on the part of the College in 
less than two hours. President Brown, Professor Adams and 
Mr. Olcott were present, as were also many lawyers from Essex 
County, Mass., and a large number of the clergy. The general 
feeling of interest and pride in the meeting of such eminent coun- 
sel was expressed by the Exeter Watchman of September 27.^ 
"We can say with proud assurance that it was upon the whole an 
exhibition of professional ability which has reflected an honor to 
our native State not easily to be sullied, nor soon to be forgotten. " 

The cause was continued for further advisement to the Plym- 
outh term, November 6, when decision was rendered adverse 
to the College by all the judges. Although Judge Woodbury 
joined in the decision, it would appear from the dockets that he 
did not sit in the case, as would, indeed, be expected, since he 
had been himself one of the first Trustees of the University and 
very active in its behalf. The college officers nevertheless went 
quietly on with their instruction. They had pledged themselves, 
it is true, to submit to the determination of the courts, and their 
enemies now most unfairly reviled them for a violation of their 
promises, and for an unseemly and illegal comtempt of the tri- 
bunals of the State. But they had never promised to submit to 
any decision short of the final determination of the highest author- 
ity in the land, and had, as their letters abundantly showed, 
started out with the expectation of being driven to the court of 

^Dartmouth Gazette, October 29, 1817. 

s Dartmouth Gazette, October i; Shirley, p. 174; Webster's Priv. Cor. I., 265. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 131 

last resort at Washington. The cause from the first was con- 
ducted by both parties and by the court with that understanding. 
The decision of the State court had little effect on the students ; 
one student only was thereby drawn over to the University; a 
son of Judge Bell had been previously transferred by his father, 
while on the other hand a nephew of Judge Woodbury remained 
in the College in spite of the judge's earnest remonstrance. His 
father, though a good Democrat, even contributed to help the 
College carry on the contest. "The boys," after all, were in a 
fair way to determine the controversy, as Mason had shrewdly 
predicted. But the friends of the University were naturally 
delighted at the favorable decision. Governor Plumer wrote 
from Epping to Dr. Parish, November 29, 1817:^ 

The decision of the Superior Court in the suit against the University is an 
important and correct decision. It is what I confidently expected from the 
time I first heard of its commencement. My confidence was founded on a 
knowledge of the law and the talents and integrity of the Judges. It is said 
Brown & Co. intend carrying the suit by writ of error to the Supreme Court 
of the U. S. I should not think they would adopt such a course, had I not seen 
so many instances of men suffering passion, wounded pride and resentment to 
usurp the place of sound discretion and judgment. I think they can have no 
rational grounds to hope for success in the National Court, & that the friends 
of the University have nothing to fear from the result, but the expense and the 
evils which proceed from a state of suspense. 

Dr. Parish, one of the Trustees of the University, and Dr. 
Wheelock's former candidate for the professorship of languages 
in the College, had previously written to the Governor on hearing 
of the decision :2 

It is for you, my Dear sir, to say, "The University shall rise," & it will rise 
with new splendor. The historian will date its brilliant era from the adminis- 
tration of Gov. P — r. But for this, exertions must be made, a liberal, energetic 
policy must be pursued. Then will Dartmouth be a youthful cedar of Lebanon, 
watered by the dews of heaven, diffusing its fragrance around; but a feeble 
illiberal policy will render it a feeble consumptive plant, the mortification of 
its friends, the scorn of its enemies. . . . One measure imperiously re- 
quired is a Professor of Theology. Among his other felicities of character he 
ought to be well known in the State, and otherwise, in the popular sense of the 
word. ... A Professor of Divinity who is well known, and a popular 
preacher, who should travel through the State, and preach in the principal 
towns, would sway the public mind — the people would be secured. 

A few days after the decision was known at Hanover, and no 
doubt as a consequence of it, the university Faculty precipitated 

' Plumer Correspondence, Congressional Library. ^Ibid. 



132 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

the most serious conflict of the whole controversy by an attempt to 
take possession of the Hbraries of the two great Hterary societies, 
the Social Friends and the United Fraternity, commonly known 
as the "Socials" and the "Fraternity" or "Fraters," which had 
thus far been suffered to remain in the hands of the students to 
whom they belonged. The library of the Fraternity was kept 
in a small front room in the second story of Dartmouth Hall 
immediately above the northwest entrance, that of the Socials in 
the corresponding room above the southwest entrance. These 
rooms had been devoted to the use of the societies and had been 
fitted up by them. A rear room on the lower floor extending from 
the middle passage to the sojath passage had been appropriated 
to the ,u6e of the societies and the Phi Beta Kappa society for 
their stated meetings. 

The College library consisting of about 4,000 volumes, many 
of them, however, being obsolete text books and duplicates, had 
already, as we have seen, been seized by the University eight 
months earlier. The societies warned by that act had ever since 
been apprehensive that their libraries, which together were about 
equal in numbers to that of the College, would not be left undis- 
turbed. The Fraternity, as soon as the College library was taken 
in March, appointed a Committee of Safety, consisting of mem- 
bers of the graduating class, and the Socials, on May 2 1 , appointed 
a similar committee, consisting of C. F. Gove, F. Vose, and A. 
Gordon of the graduating class, with Cyrus P. Grosvenor, John 
Aiken, B. G. Tenney and Rufus Choate, of the other classes, 
who, being invested with "discretionary powers to take care of 
the Library in the approaching difficulties, " considered themselves 
responsible to the Society for the books. Nothing was done by 
either committee until after the decision at Plymouth. Their 
fears then being excited anew, Mr. Choate, the librarian of the 
Socials, procured a room near his own in the back part of Profes- 
sor Adams's house prior to November i i,and had secretly removed 
a large part of their books thither, and packed the remainder in 
trunks ready to be taken as occasion should serve. The Fraters 
on the evening of November 9 took out about 800 volumes of 
their books in a similar manner. Some hint of these facts coming 
to the ears of the university Faculty, on the evening of November 
II, they appointed Henry Hutchinson inspector of buildings and 
directed him to take possession of the library room of the socie- 
ties.^ Mr. Hutchinson immediately gathered a party consisting, 

Dar/moM</i GozeWe. November 19, 26; December 3, 1817; January 7. i8i8. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 133 

besides himself, of Professors Dean and Carter and five students 
of the University with Isaac Bissell, Jr., Lemuel Cook and eight 
other villagers, and between 7 and 8 o'clock the same evening 
proceeded from the house of Dr. Perkins (the original part of 
what is now Sanborn Hall), to the College, going first to the 
room of the Social Friends. They had not the key, nor had they 
applied for it, but attempted to force the door by stepping back 
across the hall and running against it. This failing, Professor 
Dean ordered Cofhn, one of the assistants, to cut the door down 
with the axe, while others stood guard with clubs uplifted. It was 
a firm double door, and many blows by a strong laboring man were 
necessary to open a place large enough for them to crawl in. 
The noise aroused the students rooming near, and also the mem- 
bers of the United Fraternity, then in session in the hall below, 
who instantly adjourned and rushed in a body to the rescue. 
Finding their opponents armed, they also supplied themselves 
with clubs from a pile of firewood that lay in the hall. One of their 
number, H. K. Oliver, blessed with a powerful voice, taking 
position in front of the building shouted: "Turn out Social 
Friends, your library is broken open," in tones heard all over 
the premises. The bell also sounded the alarm. Judge Nesmith, 
then a sophomore, roomed with Judge Woodbury's nephew, 
Luke, in the north east corner, second story of Dartmouth hall. 
He says: 

We heard Oliver's ringing voice distinctly at our room. Chamberlain (after- 
wards professor) who was then librarian of the Fraternity and roomed directly 
over me, was soon in my room, seeking a light, at the head of the body of his 
society, who immediately commenced the labor of removing the remaining 
books of their library to the hall of Dr. Alden,' I was soon at the scene of action 
at the other end of the building, where we found Coffin still cutting away the 
door, and Hutchinson giving orders. Professors Dean and Carter were also 
present, with Bissell and Cook and three shoemakers and others unknown to 
fame. The first sensible speech I heard was from one of the shoemakers who 
addressed his associates saying," it appears to me we are in a cursed poor scrape. 
I had rather be in a nest of hornets than among these college boys when they 
get mad and roused up." 

By the time the students had generally assembled the attack- 
ing party had got into the library and were defending the hole 
with the axe with which they had made it. The passageway was 
soon filled with students and the entrance closed ; Professor Dean 
testified, "they thronged us." Some of the University party 

> This hall was over a store, which stood on the site now occupied by the north half of the 
Davison block, and was torn down in 1903. 



134 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

threatened the students with uplifted axe, and one of the students 
declared that no one should bring out a book alive, but fortu- 
nately self control prevailed on both sides and no blows were 
struck. Some profitless argument ensued, in the course of which 
Professor Carter said that he had $15 in the library and wanted 
his share of it, though soon after he observed to the same person 
that he was sensible he had got into a bad scrape and desired 
assistance to be extricated from it. The University party finding 
that they were hopelessly outnumbered permitted themselves 
to be conducted across the entry to the southeast corner room, 
then number 12, where they were detained twenty or thirty min- 
utes, until the students had completed the removal of the books, 
"and they were then one by one, having satisfied the students 
that they had no books about them, escorted to the south front 
door of the College, the passage to which was lined on both sides 
by a great crowd of students, medical students, villagers and boys, 
whom the novelty and noise of the occasion had called together. 
They were all dismissed, as soon as they were out of the building, 
except Professor Carter, who having lost his cane and showing 
signs of fear was attended by two yourig men quite to his lodgings, 
where he politely expressed his thanks for the civility; all then 
immediately dispersed," The professors and Hutchinson were 
suffered to leave without any demonstration, but the others were 
made to pass sub jugum, under clybs crossed over their heads. 

"Professors Dean and Carter were members of the Society of 
Social Friends. At the meeting of the society on the following 
day, a committee was appointed to request of them 3,n explana- 
tion of their proceedings. No answer being given, the committee 
were directed to address them on the subject, the next day, in 
writing. This was done in a respectful manner by the committee 
who were again insulted, and the very existence of such a society 
as the Social Friends contemptuously denied."^ The society 
after further consideration of the case, with the concurrence of 
graduate members whom they were able to call in expelled both 
the professors. Three students of the University who took part 
in the attack were also expelled, two by the Socials, J. S. H. Durell 
and William Kelly, and one, Samuel Whiting, by the Fraters, 
and President Allen, a member of the Social Friends, was debarred 
the use of the library. President Allen aware that these extra- 
ordinary occurrences would be widely known and likely to bring 
discredit upon his party, hastened to send forth on the 12th an 

^Dartmouth Gazette, November a6, 1817. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 135 

address "to the Public," in which he stated the reasons for their 
action substantially as already given, and alluded to the college 
students as "the pupils under the private instruction of the Rev. 
Mr. Brown, and Messrs. ShurtlefT and Adams, formerly officers of 
Dartmouth College." This address was privately printed and 
sent abroad but not distributed in Hanover. It came back in 
the columns of the Vermont Journal. The committees of the 
respective societies also issued circular letters to their graduate 
members, by whom their action was generally and heartily 
sustained.^ 

As threatened by President Allen in his circular, on Monday, 
November 17, nine of the college students were arrested on a 
charge of riot, made by Professor Dean. They were taken before 
John Durkee, justice of the peace, a resident of the east part of 
Hanover, late senator, and a strong friend of the University, and 
after examination were bound over in $150 each to the Grand 
Jury at the May term at Haverhill. ^ Ebenezer Brown of Nor- 
wich appeared for the prosecution, and Benj. J. Gilbert for the 
defence. The next week, not without many misgivings on the 
part of the friends of the College as to the wisdom of such a 
course, a counter charge of a similar nature was brought against 
Professors Dean and Carter, Henry Hutchinson, Isaac Bissell, 
Jr., and a number of others. The complainant was Cyrus P. 
Grosvenor, a student in the College, class of 18 18, and one of the 
respondents in the previous prosecution. The respondents were 
brought before James Wheelock, Esq., a justice, who called in as 
associate magistrates Stephen Kendrick and Thomas Waterman 
of Lebanon. Messrs. Olcott of Hanover and Britton of Orford 
appeared for the State, Mr. Gilbert being absent, and Messrs. 
Hubbard of Windsor, Brown of Norwich, and Smith of Hanover 
appeared for the respondents. Messrs. Joseph Bell of Haverhill 
and Jeduthan Wilcox of Orford were desired, but they did not 
wish to appear in the affair. 

After testimony and lengthy argument on both sides and an 
adjournment for consideration, the respondents were bound over 

» The foregoing account is derived partly from the manuscript reminiscences of Judge G. W. 
Nesmith, a member of the class of 1820, and from the First Half Century of Dartmouth College, 
a pamphlet published by Judge Nathan Crosby, a member of the same class, but mainly from 
the contemporaneous statements published by the committees of the societies, from items in 
the papers, and from reports of the evidence taken at the several trials which ensued. A manu- 
script letter of President Brown gives substantially the same account. 

2judge Nesmith, of the class of 1820, says that the following were arrested: W. B. Adams, 
C. P. Grosvenor, R. Choate, B. G. Tenney, W. C. Boyden, James Shirley, all of whom were 
Socials, and William Shedd who was a Frater. The records of the Socials show that S. H. Archer 
was also arrested, and a memorandum includes C. S. Hinckley, a Frater. in the list. 



136 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

in the same penalty to the same court as their opponents. Both 
parties appeared before the Grand Jury under the charge of 
George SulHvan, attorney general, and stated their case, but no 
indictments were found, though it is said that seven of the jury 
voted for a bill against the university party. It was, however, 
agreed by all the attorneys that the main question then pending 
should not be clouded or belittled by such unworthy side issues, 
that could only foster bad blood and bring trouble. The only 
party punished was Esq. Wheelock, whose commission as justice 
of the peace, then about expiring, the Governor did not renew. 

Growing out of the animosities begot by these proceedings still 
another action was instituted in March, 1818, in the name of the 
University, by Henry Hutchinson, the inspector of buildings, 
against Calvin Cutler, a member of College of the class of 1818, 
for removing the university bellrope.^ The fact was that Cutler 
having the care of the bell and finding a new rope necessary, 
purchased the rope in question, paying forty-two cents of his 
own money, and when he left the care of the bell took the rope 
with him. The case was entered before Col. Brewster as justice 
of the peace, April 25, and as soon as the facts were made known, 
summarily dismissed. It furnished food for much ridicule, one 
irreverent newspaper suggesting that the proceeds, when received, 
should be used to found an institution under the wing of the 
University. 

The affair as a whole damaged much the cause of the University 
abroad, while assurances of countenance and approval came to 
the students from all sides. Rev. Asa Burton of Thetford wrote, 
November 25: "All, except a few Democrats, are clear, lawyers 
as well as others, that Professors Dean and Carter and their 
comrades are the rioters and that the students did no more than 
what duty required, and they are astonished, though much grati- 
fied, that they did not do something in the sudden ferment, 
which would have been blamable in them. The College this way 
has lost no credit by that affair, but the University conduct is 
despised." Mr. Burton also took President Allen to task in a 
brief but caustic article prepared for the press, for his way of 
speaking of Professor Shurtleff. "Why does he refuse to give 
Professor Shurtleff the title of Reverend? Did he not know that 
Professor Shurtleff was regularly ordained by the Orange Asso- 
ciation? ... or did he suppose that no ordination is valid 
if the person ordained is opposed to Dartmouth University? If 

■ Dartmouth Gazelle, March 25; May 13. 18 18. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 137 

this is his opinion there are but few valid ordinations in our na- 
tion, for the great majority of them are opposed to Dartmouth 
University." 

Richard Fletcher writing to President Brown, December 8, 
1817, assured him that 

The attempts upon the libraries certainly admit of no justification or excuse. 
The defence of them was just and manly. Nothing can be necessary but to 
disseminate correct information of the manner and object of collecting the 
books to procure a general censure of the assailants who would have taken 
them without right, and commendation of the owners who rightly defended 
them. The interests of the College [he added] have my best wishes and con- 
stant solicitude. If this institution is finally beaten down by this blow, certain 
it is we shall have nothing permanent among us but our follies and our vices. 
The ground on which the College will stand before the U. S. Court will be much 
narrower than that on which it stood before our State Court, but I hope there 
will still be sufficient to afford it support. 

Aside from these episodes matters "moved on quite harmo- 
niously. The scholars remained friendly, and the officers were 
mutually respectful. Both presidents were remarkable for genial 
dispositions and courteous manners, noble Christian gentlemen, 
and were fully impressed with the sharp and serious conflict 
before them. We all followed the one bell; and for two long 
years a hundred or more students were crossing the plain, at 
every ringing of the bell, to their chapel and various recitation 
rooms, while a dozen University students were crossing our 
paths in other directions, giving ample opportunity to crack a 
joke and chaff each other. "^ 

In the spring of 181 8 a flutter was produced in the societies by 
an advertisement which appeared in various papers in March and 
April, addressed to the members of the Social Friends. It was 
dated at Worcester, but was without signature. Stating that 
the difficulties at the College had raised the question of the owner- 
ship of the library of the society, and that it was understood that 
a proposition had been made "to distribute the books among the 
members of the society resident at the College"; it called for a 
meeting of the society on the 13th of May at Hanover, "to deter- 
mine what disposition shall be made of the property." No one 
at the College appearing to father the notice, the society at its 
meeting, April i, appointed a committee with powers to act as 
they thought best with respect to the advertisement. The com- 
mittee, therefore, inserted in the papers over their signatures 
a notice to the effect that no such proposition as had been stated 

1 First Half Century of Dartmouth College, by Nathan Crosby, p. 44. 



138 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

for the distribution of the books had ever been made. "The 
library," said they, "will remain as it ever has been, open under 
constitutional restrictions, to all members, and that at the next 
commencement of the College the final destination of the books 
may be considered in full meeting of the Society." A general 
attendance was requested for that meeting. When it came, 
however, nothing was done. It was proposed, "if the safety of 
the library required it, to summon a meeting of the graduate and 
honorary members, to determine the fate of its interests," but 
this did not meet the approval of the graduates "on account of 
the impression," said they, "which it might give that we en- 
tertained the least doubt of the final decision's being in favor of 
the Old Board." There seemed to be an unlimited confidence 
among the graduates present that the decision would be in favor 
of the College, and they all expressed their entire approbation 
of the measures adopted by the active members. 

To return to the development of the action against Mr. Wood- 
ward: The opinion of the State court was based upon a state- 
ment of facts, which was, by previous agreement, to be turned 
into a special verdict at the request of either party, in order to 
carry the cause to the United States Supreme Court. It was the 
wish of all connected with the College that Mr. Webster should 
take charge of the argument in that forum, and in response to 
such a suggestion he wrote to President Brown on the 15th of 
November : 

I have not heard from you or any body else respecting the appeal to Wash- 
ington since the decision. As some little conversation was had on the subject 
at Exeter, and as Mr. Thompson and myself had also a little conversation on 
the same subject a few days ago here, I have thought it possible you would 
wish my attention to the cause at Washington. The object of this is to say, 
that I shall determine by the 25th or 30th of this month, whether I shall go to 
Washington this winter, or not, and this decision will depend in a great measure 
on what may be wished in relation to this cause. I have no other great occa- 
sion to go, and you will judge whether it will be better that I should go, prin- 
cipally, on this account, or whether better services cannot probably be had at 
a cheaper rate. I should choose to associate with me some distinguished 
Counsel. Mr. Thompson and myself have mentioned Mr. Hopkinson of 
Philadelphia. He is well known to us, and I think him capable of arguing this 
cause as well as any man in the United States. 

I am aware, that there must be great difficulty in obtaining funds, on this 
occasion. I wish you therefore to write to me, very plainly, what can be done, 
and what cannot, and I will give you my advice as plainly in return. I think 
that I would undertake, for a thousand dollars, to go to Washington, and 
argue the case, and get Mr. Hopkinson's assistance also. I doubt whether 
I could do it for a much less sum. Mr. Hopkinson will be very competent to 





,,B^ei^^^:^,^i^^^ ^^^^t^^^^^..^. 




of •^^iA.t^^^^e-'^.^ 




Till': COLLKCE COUXSKL. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 139 

argue it, alone, and probably would do so for something less; tho' no counsel of 
first rank, would undertake this cause at Washington probably under six or 
seven hundred dollars. 

You will excuse this, and as my arrangements must be made soon, let me 
hear from you as quick as possible. 

On the next day he wrote to Mr. Hopkinson, who replied on 
the 20th: 

I have your favor of the i6th inst. and enlist most cheerfully and heartily, 
under your banner, in the cause you mention; whether in business or pleasure; 
in social or professional intercourse, I know none with whom I would prefer 
to associate. From the little knowledge the newspapers gave us of your con- 
troversy, I confess, I am greatly surprised at the result, unless, indeed, some- 
thing besides the justice and argument of the cause has found its way into the 
decision. For such things do happen even in tribunals of the law from the 
highest to the lowest; sometimes without a consciousness of their influence 
and sometimes more culpably. 

Mr. Marsh was highly pleased with Mr. Webster's acceptance 
of the case, and on the 22d wrote to President Brown: 

I am happy to find that Mr. Webster is likely to go to Washington and if he 
is to go principally on account of our action and will pay Mr. Hopkinson out of 
that sum, $1000 is not an unreasonable compensation. I am however sorry 
that he would not have gone independently of attending to this suit. I am 
acquainted with Mr. Hopkinson and think it better to employ him with Mr. 
Webster than any other man of my acquaintance who will be likely to attend 
the court. There seems but little reason to hesitate if the money can be 
raised. You do not mention having written to Yale College. That institution 
seems to have as great a stake in the controversy as any one and perhaps as 
likely to meet with the same troubles. 

The University did not secure its counsel till quite a little 
later. At a meeting of the Trustees at Hanover, December 31, 
1817, it was voted to invite Mr. John Holmes to take charge of 
the case for the University, and Mr. Hale was authorized to see 
him, and in case of his refusal to secure, "with the advice of the 
friends of the University" in Washington, some other counsel. 
Mr. Hale was not favorable to Mr. Holmes, and on February 15 
he wrote to Mr. Woodward from Washington: 

Were you sensible of the low ebb of Mr. Holmes' reputation here, you would, 
I think, be unwilling to trust the cause with him. It might in the end be decided 
right, but a lawyer of high standing would be much more likely to persuade the 
court to take it up out of order, as it must be decided this term. 

Mr. Woodward was much more favorable to Mr. Holmes and 
wrote of him, January 18, to Mr. Hale: "I have thought him 



140 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

extremely ready — of sound mind and [a] good lawyer, inferior to 
D. W. only in point of oratory." And again a month later he 
wrote: "I adhere still to my first impression as to Webster and 
Holmes, but with you should place Judge Hubbard [of Vermont] 
above not only Holmes but Webster also. " Mr. Holmes accepted 
the case, but Mr. Hale and his advisers were not content to leave 
it in his hands alone. Writing to Governor Plumer in January,^ 
Mr. Hale suggested the employment of Mr. Wirt, the attorney 
general of the United States, "who," he said, "will, it is supposed, 
ask $500." Without waiting to receive the Governor's reply, 
which was entirely favorable, Mr. Hale "with the unanimous 
advice of our Senators and representatives, the Secretary of the 
Navy and Gen. Ripley," engaged Mr. Wirt as an associate of 
Mr. Holmes. He was disturbed by the report that either Mr. 
Sullivan or Mr. Bartlett was coming to Washington to take part 
in the case, thinking it a needless expense, and wishing only the 
list of authorities which they had cited in the New Hampshire 
court. The Governor, while promising the list, assured him that 
neither of them would attend at Washington, and expressed his 
satisfaction at the employment of Mr. Wirt, as he also did in the 
following letter to Mr. Storer, one of the Trustees of the Univer- 
sity and then United States Senator, in a letter dated February 
23, 1818.2 

I think that it was a proper and prudent measure to engage Mr. Wirt as 
counsel in the cause of the University, and I am confident that the board of 
trustees will repay all money that shall be advanced to him for performing that 
duty; but considereing my peculiar situation, I think it would be improper 
for me as an individual to advance or promise any moneys for fees — it would 
cause our political enemies to blaspheme. It would more effectually promote 
the interest of the republican cause for me to advance $100 to the University 
for the support of its instructors than double that sum to fee counsel in the 
present law suit. 

It was hoped to get a decision at the ensuing term; and to that 
end promptness in filing the record was very essential. Messrs, 
Smith and Mason set themselves to that task forthwith, Mr. 
Bartlett was reported as saying that they would not agree, on the 
part of the University, to a verdict in such a form that it might 
be removed, and the first attempt to agree with him seemed to 
justify that report; but he finally turned the matter over to Mr. 
Sullivan, who was less exacting, and the verdict as drawn by 

1 Plumer Correspondence, Congressional Library. 
* Plumer Correspondence, Congressional Library. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 141 

Judge Smith was assented to December 25, the writ of error hav- 
ing been allowed on the 22d, and the whole reached Washington 
by the hand of a special messenger on the 29th, in ample time to 
secure a hearing at that term. But the narrow range of inquiry 
permissible on the pleadings in this shape occasioned much anx- 
iety to the friends of the College, and particularly to Mr. Webster. 
While the supposed repugnance of the acts to the consitution 
of the United States had been from the first urged and relied on, 
yet much the larger part of the arguments at Exeter had been 
devoted to other points which, though all the counsel regarded 
them with greater confidence, would technically be excluded from 
view at Washington. This disadvantage was inherent in the or- 
iginal plan deliberately adopted by the advice of Judge Smith, of 
not seeming to avoid the Courts of the State. But this delicacy 
had now passed away, and Webster urged immediate steps to 
enlarge the field of argument. He wrote from Boston simul- 
taneously to the President and to Messrs. Marsh, Mason and 
Smith, saying that he "thought of this the more, from hearing of 
sundry sayings of a great personage," presumably Judge Story. 
From Boston he wrote to Mr. Marsh, December 8, 1817.^ 

You are aware that in the College Cause the only question that can be 
argued at Washington is whether the recent acts of the legislature of N. Hamp- 
shire do not violate the constitution of the U. S. This point, though we trust 
a strong one, is not perhaps stronger than that derived from the character of 
these acts compared with the Constitution of N. Hampshire. It has occured 
to me whether it would not be well to bring an action which should present 
both, and all our points to the Supreme Court. This could be done by bringing 
the action originally in the Circuit Court. I am a good deal inclined to favor 
the proposition of bringing such a suit. Although I now mention it only for 
consideration. Suppose the Trustees should sue for the Wheelock lands in 
Vermont? or suppose they should lease portions of the N. Hampshire lands to 
a citizen in Vermont? In either of these cases an action might be brought in 
the courts of the U. S., in which all the questions could be considered. I have 
suggested this idea to Mr. Mason and Judge Smith (and nobody else). If 
they should think the hint worth considering I shall probably hear from them 
and in that case I will write you again. Such a suit would not of course at 
all interfere with our present proceedings. 

Mr. Marsh found practical difficulties in the way and President 
Brown himself had doubts about the propriety of this course, 
but on visiting Mr. Webster at his house in Boston in January, 
1 818, they were removed and Mr. Olcott was requested to forward 
the needful preparations. 

I Shirley, p. s. 



142 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

Meanwhile circumstances of an extraordinary character came 
to the ears of the friends of the College which threw them into 
new perplexities. As the material facts have already been made 
public they require some notice at our hands, though of a delicate 
nature. It had been hoped that, as the principles contended 
for by the State of New Hampshire would, if established, strike 
at the foundations of every institution of this kind, other colleges 
would make common cause and join in meeting the heavy ex- 
penses of the litigation. Application having been made, among 
others, to Harvard College, through Hon. David A. White of 
Salem, that gentleman, on November 26, 1817, informed Presi- 
dent Brown that while President Kirkland was in full sympathy 
with Dartmouth, yet funds were lacking with which to give 
substantial aid. 

But [he added] the principal reasons suggested are of a more important 
nature and if well founded may be deserving of attention. Some of my friends 
here who sincerely wish success to the cause of your College, have yet a strong 
wish that it should not be carried to Washington, from an apprehension that, 
even should the U. S. Court take up the cause at large and consider it in all 
its points, there would be an influence among them which would probably 
confirm the present decision and thereby increase an hundred fold the weight 
of its authority. Others suppose that the court would either evade a decision 
of the cause at all, or would consider only the point upon which it is carried up, 
and this latter thought, they say, is suggested from high authority among us. 
Should this course be taken it is supposed that the merits of the cause will not 
be brought into view, and that the result of a hearing at Washington would 
be worse than leaving the cause where it is — so far at least as respects our 
Institutions, the authority of the decision of your court being so inconsiderable 
under the circumstances of the case. 

Mr. T. J. Murdock, a graduate of the College and then a 
student in Andover Theological Seminary, wrote to President 
Brown, December 27, 1817, giving a discouraging report of the 
effect of these rumors in that section : 

The fact is the folks in this region are frightened. Dr. Worcester, Judge 
White and Mr. Pickering, it is said, begin to talk of a compromise, because 
it is ascertained that Judge Story with the assistance of Mr. Clay &c is the 
original framer of the law you are opposing.^ They suppose that on this 
account the cause is hopeless before the Sup. Ct. of U. S. This is, however, 
report. But the same report says that Judge Story is the one who proposes 
the conipromise. 

The position of Judge Story, if this was true, was calculated 
to give just cause for alarm. Mr. Hopkinson wrote Mr. Marsh, 
December 31, 1817:2 

' If he was the draftsman it is surprising that the act was so defective. 
'Shirley, p. 274- 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 143 

Although the attempts of the defendants in this case to excite a prejudice 
in the public mind by newspapers and party representations is vile and unjust, 
it is likely they will be able to produce less effect by these means upon a court 
than a jury. The situation in which, if you are not misinformed Judge Story 
has placed himself is much more alarming to us, and so disreputable to him 
should he sit in the case, that I confess I am inclined to believe that your in- 
formation in his respect must be mistaken. Should it however be otherw^ise 
and he is about to sit as a judge in a cause in which he has been a feed counsellor 
I should have no hesitation in resorting to any legal and proper means to pre- 
vent such an abuse of power and office. The influence of the judge with the 
court in general cases is I think considerable, and will probably be very great 
in one like the present. If therefore the judge has committed himself in the 
way you mention it will never do to hazard so important a case on a question 
of delicacy to him. 

Judge Story was known as an old friend and confidant of Gov- 
ernor Plumer. He had even been appointed an overseer of the 
University, though he did not accept the appointment. It was 
now ascertained that, even if he did not draft the act, he had, at 
all events, advised about it and with his usual industry and in- 
discretion examined it at an early stage and avouched its legality, 
and the University people felt secure.^ The friends of the College 
after all they had been called on to endure, had been looking 
forward hopefully to a tribunal out of the reach of local politics 
and bias only to find it (as it now appeared) tainted with the same 
malign influence. They were naturally discouraged. But as 
we hear no more of impeachment, it is evident that means were 
found to convey to Judge Story in a friendly way (apparently 
through Mr. Mason whom the Judge held in high esteem) the 
sentiments of Mr. Hopkinson's letter, and to obtain assurances of 
impartiality. Lingering doubts and fears respecting him har- 
assed them to the last, but he faithfully preserved a judicial 
temper, and, convinced at last of the justice of their cause, gave 
it an unwavering support to the surprise and confusion of the 
University people. 

Mr. Webster's views as to the necessity of beginning new 
actions in the United States courts, in order to get up the broad 
question whether by the general principles of government as well 
as by the United States and State constitutions the State was 
not restrained from diverting vested rights, being approved by 
the other counsel, and the doubts of the President removed by 
personal conference with Webster at Boston in January, the 
Trustees were called together February 19, 1818. Declaring it 

1 Shirley, p. 239. 



144 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

expedient, because of failure of income from rents and otherwise, 
to dispose of some of the College properties, to meet current 
expenses and costs of litigation, they directed Mr. Olcott to sell 
the "Commons Hall," and certain lands in Hanover, formerly 
leased to Richard Lang, and any other New Hampshire lands. 
It was also voted to sell the College library for not less than $2,100 
since "it is highly important that the officers and students of the 
College be furnished with books suitable for the purposes of 
instruction and study, and whereas the books composing the 
library belonging to the College are many of them ancient, 
injured and defaced and not so well suited to answer the said 
purpose as others which might be selected: and it is therefore 
deemed expedient to make sale of the said books to raise money 
to purchase a more complete assortment of useful books for the 
said officers and students." The Board also requested the 
President "to publish a statement of the views of the trustees 
relative to the present situation of the affairs of this college and 
their intended operations during the existence of the embarrass- 
ments under which they at present labor," These votes were 
drafted by Mr. Marsh, and on the 28th of February the following 
was issued in circular form, and in the newspapers: 

The Trustees of Dartmouth College consider it due to the publick, and 
especially to the members of the Institution and their friends, explicitly to 
make known the course they design to pursue, and their opinion relative to the 
state and prospects of the College. 

The Trustees commenced the suit at law, which is still pending, from a full 
conviction, that this measure was demanded of them, as the constituted guar- 
dians of this valuable seminary, and as friends to the literature and the literary 
establishments of their country; and it is their fixed determination to prosecute 
it, and to avail themselves of every constitutional expedient for protecting the 
College, till the question in controversy shall be tried on its merits and decided 
by the highest judicial tribunal of this nation. 

They have an undiminished confidence, that the decision will be in favor of 
their rights, as secured by the charter; and that they shall again be put in 
possession of the buildings and other property, of which they have been de- 
prived. — If, however, the decision in the last resort should be against them, 
they will no longer claim a corporate existence, and Dartmouth College will 
have been effectually destroyed. In that event, the students, should they 
desire it, will be recommended to either of the Colleges in New-England; and 
from what is known of the opinions and feelings of the Trustees and Instruc- 
ters of these Institutions, full confidence is entertained, that the students, thus 
recommended, will be readily received. Nor is there any ground for a doubt, 
that the diplomas conferred by this Corporation, so long as their rights 
remain a subject of judicial inquiry, will be recognized as valid by all literary 
and professional bodies throughout the country. 



1815-1820.] The College and the U?iiverstty. 145 

The Trustees avail themselves of this opportunity to present their thanks to 
the numerous publick-spirited individuals in New Hampshire, Vermont, and 
Massachusetts, who, in the present exigency of the College, have afforded it 
prompt and effectual aid. And they are happy to announce to the publick, 
that, through the munificence of friends in Boston, the Professor of Mathe- 
maticks, and Philosophy will be furnished, the ensuing season, with a good 
electrical apparatus, an Air Pump with accompanying instruments, an elegant 
Telescope, a new Solar Microscope, and a common Microscope, which, together 
with other articles in his possession, will enable him to exhibit the most impor- 
tant experiments in all the branches of Natural Philosophy. 

It would be unjust in the Trustees not to acknowledge their obligations to 
those parents, who have afforded countenance and encouragement to the 
College, under its numerous embarrassments, by committing their sons to its 
instruction and guardianship. This is a species of aid essential to its respecta- 
bility, and highly important to its success; and the Trustees hope, that none 
will be deterred by the difficulties, in which it is involved, from affording similar 
aid in future. These difficulties, they can assure the publick, are wholly 
external. The internal state of the College, including the moral and literary 
habits of its members, and their proficiency in all the branches of literature 
and science, has at no time been better than it now is. Nor have the advantages 
afforded them ever been greater, with the single exception, that they are 
deprived of the use of the College Library. And even this deprivation is the 
less to be regretted, as they are well supplied with books from the Libraries of 
the two Literary Societies in College, each of which consists of about eighteen 
hundred well chosen volumes. 

From the members of the Institution the Trustees cannot withhold an 
expression of approbation for their close attention to study, and for their 
uniformly correct and manly deportment in circumstances, some of which 
must be allowed to have been peculiarly tr^'ing. They trust the students will 
continue to maintain their fair reputation, and to reflect honour on the College, 
by a course of elevated conduct and diligent application ; and they believe, that, 
after a few more months of trial, the great object of pursuit will be achieved. 

The Trustees cheerfully commit the College, its officers, and its students 
to the care of that wise and gracious Providence, which has hitherto preserved 
it, and which is able to make its severest trials occasions of its greater prosperity, 
honour, and usefulness. 

Francis Brown, President. 

In behalf and at the request of the Corporation. 
Dartmouth College, Feb. 20, 1818. 

After much discussion among the counsel as to the forms of 
actions most suitable to the present purpose, and as to the pre- 
liminary details necessary to obtain a standing in the court, 
three conveyances were made by Mr. Olcott, viz: i. To Dr. 
Horace Hatch of Norwich, Vt., two lots of land in Greensboro 
district, Hanover, formerly leased to Richard Lang; the deeds 
being dated February 28 and March 5. 2. To Job Lyman of 
Woodstock, Vt., March 24, the Commons Hall and lot — the same 
on which Rollins Chapel now stands. 3. To Charles Marsh of 
10 



146 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

Woodstock, Vt., March 5, a lease for six years of the land on 
which the College buildings stood, including of course the build- 
ings themselves. 

After the necessary preliminaries of demand, etc., three actions 
were entered in the United States Circuit Court at Portsmouth, 
as follows: 

1. Horace Hatch vs. Richard Lang, writ of entry (for $3,000) 
for forfeiture for non-payment of rent, dated March 9. 

2. David Pierce of Woodstock, Vt., ex dem., Job Lyman vs. 
Benj. J. Gilbert (casual ejector) in ejectment (for $2,000), writ 
dated March 27. (The University Trustees were vouched in, in 
August.) 

3. Charles Marsh vs. William Allen, Henry Hutchinson and 
Ahimahaz B. Simpson, also for ejectment (for $3,000), writ 
dated March 27. 

These all related to lands. Mr. Mason had advised basing 
one of the actions upon a bona fide sale of personal property of 
adequate value to support jurisdiction, and the sale of the library 
was devised for that object, but upon several attempts, at Ando- 
ver and elsewhere, no purchaser could be found, and this feature 
of the plan was abandoned. The University at the October term 
appeared by counsel in all the actions and was admitted to 
defend. 

Mr. Webster, from Washington, lost no opportunity to urge 
on the preparation of these cases with all despatch. But it was 
now evidently impossible to advance them so rapidly as to get 
them to Washington before the argument of the Writ of Error 
vs. Woodward. The latter was in fact called in the Supreme 
Court March 10, before any one of the new causes was even 
entered in the Circuit Court. But Webster had determined, 
nevertheless, to "endeavor to argue this also upon all the points, " 
informing the court, if necessary, that the other actions were 
brought or contemplated; and he fully carried out that inten- 
tion. He opened the case for the College, plaintiff in error, on 
March 10, with one of the most remarable speeches of his life. 
Messrs. John Holmes of Maine and William Wirt of Washington 
followed for the defendant, and on the third day, March 12 
Mr. Hopkinson closed for the College.^ All spoke extempo- 

i John Holmes was a native of Rhode Island and a graduate of Brown University. He was 
a born politician, and settling in the District of Maine represented it in the Massachusetts 
House as a Federalist in 1802, and in the Senate as a Democrat in 181 1. He was a United States 
representative in 18 18, and, having had a prominent part in establishing the State of Maine, was 
its first senator from 1820 to 1827. He had "a rare gift of humor and a conversational talent 



1815-1820.] The College and the U^iiversity. 147 

raneously, and the arguments as afterwards printed, being written 
up for that purpose, lack of course the fire and brilliancy that 
characterized them in utterance. Aside from any question of 
merit the weight of talent was on the side of the College, and the 
resulting impressions of listeners favorable to their position. Mr. 
Hopkinson wrote to President Brown, March 13, "I believe every 
gentleman of the bar who attended the argument has a clear 
opinion in our favor." Webster wrote to Mason, "I believe I 
may say that nearly or quite all the bar are with us. " 

The case was widely known, and of great importance to other 
interests besides those at Dartmouth. The other colleges recog- 
nized their vital interest in it by active sympathies, and by sub- 
stantial assistance as far as they were able, and by attendance at 
the argument. Chauncey A. Goodrich, then professor of oratory 
at Yale went from New Haven to listen on Yale's behalf, and to 
his vivid report written in 1853 to Rufus Choate we are indebted 
for the only circumstantial account of the occasion. The speech 
of Mr. Webster was the one feature of absorbing interest, by 
which all the others were dwarfed and overshadowed. He spoke 
nearly five hours almost the whole of one sitting of the Court.^ 

Mr. Webster [wrote Professor Goodrich] entered upon his argument in the 
calm tone of easy and dignified conversation. His matter was so completely 
at his command that he scarcely looked at his brief, but went on for more than 
four hours with a statement so luminous, and a chain of reasoning so easy to 
be understood, and yet approaching so nearly to absolute demonstration, that 
he seemed to carry with him every man of his audience, without the slightest 
effort or uneasiness on either side. It was hardly eloquence, in the strict sense 
of the term: it was pure reason. Now and then for a sentence or two his eye 
flashed and his voice swelled into a bolder note, as he uttered some emphatic 
thought, but he instantly fell back into the tone of earnest conversation, which 
ran throughout the great body of his speech. A single circumstance will show 
the clearness and absorbing power of his argument. I observed Judge Story 

almost unrivalled," "unbounded confidence in himself," together with coolness and self pos- 
session, but he was more of a politician than a lawyer. He died July 7, 1843, at the age of 70. 

William Wirt was born in Maryland in 1772 of a Swiss father and a German mother. Enter- 
ing on the practice of law in Virginia he moved to Washington on his appointment as United 
States Attorney General by President Monroe in 1817. He was a man of culture and ability, 
of whom Judge Story said that he "was among the ablest and most eloquent of the bar of the 
Supreme Court." He was a writer of the rhetorical school, from whose productions many 
selections were taken for readers and books for declamation. "His name still lingers among 
those which occupy the borderland between greatness and passing popularity." He was the 
candidate for the presidency of the Anti-Masonic party in 1833, but received the vote only of the 
State of Vermont. He died February 18, 1834. 

Joseph Hopkinson was a celebrated lawyer of Philadelphia, born in 1770, a graduate of the 
University of Pennsylvania and, at the time of the College case, a representative in Congress. 
He was judge of the United States Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania from 1828 
till his death in 1842. He was the author of the national song, "Hail Columbia." 

1 Brown's Life of Rufus Choate, I, siSf. 



148 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

sit, pen in hand, as if to take notes. Hour after hour I saw him fixed in the 
same attitude; but- 1 could not discover tliat he made a single note. The 
argument ended, Mr. Webster stood for some moments silent before the court 
while every eye was fixed intently upon him. At length, addressing Chief 
Justice Marshall, he said, — 

" This, sir, is my case. It is the case, not merely of that humble institution, 
it is the case of every college in our land. It is more. It is the case of every 
eleemosynary institution throughout our country, of all those great charities 
founded by the piety of our ancestors to alleviate human misery, and scatter 
blessings along the pathway of human life. It is more. It is, in some sense, 
the case of every man who has property of which he may be stripped, — for 
the question is simply this: Shall our state legislature be allowed to take that 
which is not their own, to turn it from its original use, and apply it to such ends 
or purposes as they, in their discretion, shall see fit? Sir, you may destroy this 
little institution: it is weak; it is in your hands! I know it is one of the lesser 
lights in the literary horizon of our country. You may put it out: but if you 
do, you must carry through your work! You must extinguish, one after another 
all those great lights of science, which, for more than a century, have thrown 
their radiance over the land ! It is, sir, as I have said, a small college, and yet 
there are those that love it. . . . " 

Here the feelings which he had thus far succeeded in keeping down, broke 
forth. His lips quivered ; his firm cheeks trembled with emotion ; his eyes were 
filled with tears; his voice choked, and he seemed struggling to the utmost, 
simply to gain the mastery over himself which might save him from an unmanly 
burst of feeling. I will not attempt to give you the few broken words of tender- 
ness in which he went on to speak of his attachment to the college. The whole 
seemed to be mingled with the recollections of father, mother, brother, and all 
the privations through which he had made his way into life. Every one saw 
that it was wholly unpremeditated, — a pressure on his heart which sought 
relief in words and tears. 

The court-room during these two or three minutes presented an extraordinary 
spectacle. Chief Justice Marshall, with his tall, gaunt figure bent over as if 
to catch the slightest whisper, the deep fUrrows of his cheek expanded with 
emotion, and eyes suffused with tears; Mr. Justice Washington at his side, 
with his small emaciated fk"ame, and countenance more like marble than I ever 
saw on any other human being, leaning forward with an eager, troubled look; 
and the remainder of the court at the two extremities, pressing, as it were, 
toward a single point, while the audience below were wrapping themselves 
round in closer folds beneath the bench to catch each look, and every movement 
of the speaker's face. . . . There was not one among the strong-minded 
men of that assembly who could think it unmanly to weep, when he saw stand- 
ing before him the man who had made sucli an argument melted into the tender- 
ness of a child. 

Mr. Webster having recovered his composure, and fixing his keen eye on the 
Chief Justice, said, in that deep tone with which he sometimes thrilled the heart 
of an audience, — 

"Sir, I know not how others may feel (glancing at the opponents of the col- 
lege before him, some of whom were its graduates), but, for myself, when I see 
my alma mater surrounded, like Caesar in the senate house, by those who are 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 149 

reiterating stab upon stab, I would not, for this right hand, have her turn to 
me and say, — et tu quoque mifili! — 'and thou too, my soni'" 

He sat down: there was a death-like stillness throughout the room for some 
moments: every one seemed to be slowly recovering himself, and coming grad- 
ually back to his ordinary range of thought and feeling. 

Mr. Holmes for the defence followed Mr. Webster the same 
afternoon and finished the next morning. He was not familiar 
with the case, and fell into several fatal errors which showed that 
on some points he misconceived it entirely. This, with the 
terrible disadvantage of an atmosphere of feeling created by- 
Webster's eloquence, such as Professor Goodrich describes, made 
his effort worse than useless. Webster himself in a letter to 
Mason, ^ characterized Holmes's argument as "the merest stuff 
that was ever uttered in a County Court." "I had a malicious 
joy, "he wrote to Judge Smith,^ "in seeing Judge Bell sit by to 
hear him, while everybody was grinning at the folly he uttered. 
Bell could not stand it. He seized his hat and went off." 

Attorney General Wirt followed on the same side, but ruined 
the effect of what he might say by an apology that, overwhelmed 
with official duties "he had not had time to study the case, and 
hardly thought of it till it was called on." The unfavorable impres- 
sion was intensified by the success of a bold stroke of Webster's. 
Wirt was arguing (what was a vital point in the defence) that 
Wheelock was not the founder of the College. In the miidst of 
it, Webster had his attention called to the recital in the charter 
wherein he is so designated in respect to the School, and W^irt 
not understanding the distinction upon which the clients relied, 
was "dumbfounded and abandoned the point. "^ He then went 
off "into the fields of declamation and fine speaking," and break- 
ing down before he was done, asked the favor of an adjournment. 
On the third day Wirt finished and Mr. Hopkinson closed the 
case for the College with a calm and able argument, keeping 
strictly to the law, and winning admiration from all parties. Mr. 
Holmes ventured to ask if a decision might be expected at the 
present term and was told that it was improbable. The next 
morning the Chief Justice announced a continuance, some of 
the Judges having as yet no opinion, and others differing. It 
was understood, though not with certainty, that Marshall and 
Washington were for the College, Duvall and Todd perhaps 
inclined to the University, and the other three holding up. Web- 

» Webster's Priv. Cor., I, 275. ' Shirley, p. 233- 

'Webster's Priv. Cor., I, 277. 



150 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

ster wrote, in the letter to Mason already quoted, " I cannot have 
much doubt but that Story will be with us in the end, and I 
think we have much more than an even chance for one of the 
others." 

Of course the University looked anxiously, but hopefully, upon 
its case. Mr. Hale, one of the Trustees, and then a representa- 
tive from New Hampshire in Congress, reported its progress to 
President Allen by daily letters, and was greatly pleased with the 
presentation of the case for the University, and hopeful of the 
result. On March 10 he wrote: "Mr. Webster has delivered his 
speech, which made no little impression. Mr. Holmes spoke 
about an hour. . . . The employment of Mr. Wirt appears 
to me every day more and more correct." On the next day, 
describing the progress of the case, he wrote: "Mr. Wirt was 
powerful. Yesterday Mr. Webster was very disingenuous, and 
it cost me almost the night's labor to furnish Mr. Wirt with facts 
and authority to put him down. I would not have had his 
feelings today for half his fame — yea the whole. " The report on 
the I2th continued: "About two hours ago Mr. Wirt closed a 
very able argument in our cause. His peroration was eloquent. 
The ghost of Wheelock was introduced exclaiming to Webster, 
'Et tu Brute.' ... A great majority here take an interest 
for us, and have decided in our favor. . . . Mr. Hopkinson 
is now speaking. He is laboring hard. . . . The point 
insisted on here was not taken at Exeter. We have therefore 
been taken by surprise — which has thrown great labor on Mr. 
Wirt and myself." 

On the same day Mr, Holmes wrote to President Allen his 
account of the trial: 

The hearing commenced on tuesday, by an opening by Mr. Webster which 
was very able & lasted about three hours. He was followed by myself about 
one hour until the adjournment — the next day, yesterday, I resumed & occu- 
pied the court from two to three hours more. I was followed by Mr. Wirt who 
yesterday & this day, closed, very eloquently the defence in about two hours 
on the whole. He was followed by Mr. Hopkinson in a very able argumenta- 
tive speech of about an hour & a half. I have only to add that your counsel 
endeavored to do their duty & that Mr. Wirt did his verry sucessfuUy. The 
event it is impossible to predict. But I assure you, that I entertain very little 
doubt of success. Mr. Wirt & your humble servant are of opinion that some 
fees ought to be provided. 

In reporting the case to Governor Plumer on March 12, Mr. 
Hale wrote :^ 

' Plumer Correspondence, Congressional Library. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 151 

Mr. Webster was as usual able — very able — but also disingenuous — Mr. 
Holmes was below our moderate expectations — Mr. Wirt grasped the cause 
with the mind of a giant, and made Webster lower his crest & sit uneasy. I 
have been occupied day and night during the week, in searching for facts & 
documents, & am almost exhausted. Mr, Wirt could not find time to reflect 
oji the cause till Monday evening, and considering his want of preparation 
spoke with great ability. 

The general confidence of the University party, which was so 
great as to give the beUef at times that the decision would be 
unanimous in its favor, was sometimes shaken by rumors. On 
the 2d of April President Allen wrote to Mr. Hale in distress that 
it was reported that Mr. Webster had written to President Brown 
that "his own feeble services were not of half so much benefit 
to the College as the speech of Mr. Wirt," and that Mr. Wirt had 
"expressed his persuasion that the College ought to prevail." 
Mr. Hale believed that Webster had written the letter, saying 
"It is another proof of his littleness & want of principle, " and he 
was so much disturbed by the report that, though he repeated 
his belief that the chances of success for the University were as 
5 to 2, with an even chance of 6 to i, he sent the report to Mr. 
Wirt, who immediately replied that if his argument for the 
University had aided the College "it was high time for [his] 
friends to seek an asylum for him in a mad house," and added 
with an instinct of manhood that did him credit, "I cannot 
believe that Mr. Webster has so represented it. I think too 
highly of his candor & honor to believe him capable of such a 
statement; it would have been a trick not only below the pride 
of character, which I attribute to Mr. Webster, but below the 
humblest and most hopeless member of the profession." The 
statement that the College ought to prevail, of course, he denied, 
saying, that "some compliment to Mr. Webster may have led 
to this statement. He opened the case with great ability, & I 
remember to have said that I wished him all the success which 
his cause deserved, but not all that his argument merited, by 
which I meant to convey the impression that his argument was, 
in my opinion, much better than his cause. " 

A case of such importance and so well known could not fail 
to be much discussed among lawyers and others all over the 
country. The turning point of the whole was Webster's argu- 
ment, and there was a general desire in the profession to read it, 
in which some of the judges also shared. The argument was 
accordingly written out as nearly as practicable, and a limited 



152 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

number printed. It was given out in a small way to such as 
wished it, and on request, to the adverse party, but agreeably 
to the professional ethics of that time it was reserved from 
publication. 

I send you [wrote Webster, July 27, to Jacob McGaw of Bangor] with great 
cheerfulness a "sketch " of our view of the question about D. College. I have 
never allowed myself to indulge in any great hope of success; but if even a few 
such men as Judge Wilde should think we had made out our case it would repay 
the labor. If you should think there is any merit in the manner of this argu- 
ment you must recollect that it is drawn from materials furnished by Judge 
Smith & Mr. Mason, as well as from the little contributed by myself. The 
opinion of the N. H. Court had been a good deal circulated, and I was urged 
to exhibit in print our view of the case. A few copies only were printed, and 
those have been used rather cautiously. A respect for the court, as well as 
general decorum, seem to prohibit the publishing of an argument while the 
cause is pending. I have no objection to your showing this to any professional 
friend in your discretion, I only wish to guard against its becoming too publick. 

While the case was under advisement the friends of the Col- 
lege were treated in July, 1818, to a further experience of under- 
ground tactics which threatened serious results. It happened 
that Chancellor Kent, traveling through this region in a chaise 
with his wife, visited Windsor where he was entertained by 
Messrs. Dunham, Jacob and other strong partisans of the Uni- 
versity. Under their auspices he also made a trip to Hanover 
where he was introduced to the University Faculty, but not to 
the officers of the College. The opinion of the State Court on 
the college case which had been printed by Isaac Hill and spread 
broadcast over the State and elsewhere was brought to his notice, 
and without any critical examination received casual expressions 
of approval. When these facts came, as they did before long, 
to the knowledge of the friends of the College, the latter were 
justly alarmed. It was known that Justices Johnson and Liv- 
ingston of the Supreme Court were yet halting in their judgment 
upon the case. In the words of one whose sympathies were with 
the University party ^ "That Kent's opinion would have great 
weight with Justice Johnson, and his opinion and influence with 
that of Governor Clinton were potential with Justice Livingston 
was obvious to all who understood the relations of these men," 
and he makes it clear by numerous citations. It is more than 
implied by the same writer that Kent was to write Mr. Justice 
Johnson's opinion, and the story had been diligently propagated 
all through the country that Kent had, after an examination of 

" Shirley, p. 253. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 155 

the case, given a decided opinion in favor of the University. It 
is not surprising that the university party were confident and 
Mr, Webster in despair. It was necessary that prompt measures 
should be taken to counteract the scheme, so that if the decisions 
were, indeed, to hang on the opinion of the chancellor he should 
at least have the information requisite to enable him to form 
an impartial judgment. Mr. Marsh accordingly transmitted to 
him on the 22d of August a copy of Mr. Webster's argument 
and the charter, with a statement of the case which Kent frankly 
avowed gave a new complexion to it, so that he declared that if 
he were to study it he should probably come to a different con- 
clusion, though his hasty impressions one way or the other were 
of little value. 

The matter was so important that early in September President 
Brown, in the course of a vacation trip undertaken for the help 
of the College, stopped at Albany, where he dined with Kent 
and conferred upon college matters. Kent at once expressed 
regret for the hasty expression he had used at Windsor, and said 
that Mr. Webster's argument had thrown a different light upon 
the case. President Brown learned also that Justice Johnson 
had formally requested Kent's opinion. 

The college party was very desirous that the facts in the case 
should come into the possession of the judges and of the opposing 
counsel. In December, 1817, Mr. B. J. Gilbert of Hanover went 
to Richmond on business, but made the journey a means of 
giving information about the College. He made an attempt to 
see President Day of Yale at New Haven, but without success, 
and left papers for him and a letter from President Brown solicit- 
ing the assistance of Yale in the prosecution of the suit. Mr. 
Gilbert missed Mr. Hopkinson at Philadelphia and again at 
Washington. He pushed on to Richmond in the hope of finding 
Mr. Wirt, but he had just left for Washington, and Mr. Gilbert 
was content with putting into the hand of a friend copies of the 
charter of the College and of the acts of the legislature to transmit 
to him. He hoped to meet Chief Justice Marshall, who was at 
his farm, but found many delays. " I find Richmond, " he wrote 
to President Brown, "the worst of all places that I was ever 
acquainted with to do business in — no one regards an appoint- 
ment except to dinner. " Unable finally to meet Judge Marshall 
he yet managed to get into his hands a copy of the charter and 
newspapers giving accounts of the case. 

The argument of the principal cause was not allowed to delay 



154 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

the auxiliary action. Mr. Webster had given the Supreme 
Court "reason to expect that a case would be presented at the 
Circuit Court raising the question in its amplest form," and told 
his colleagues that he should be "mortified if it were not so. "^ 
The question' he decided to raise was,^ "whether by the general 
principles of our governments the State legislatures be not re- 
strained from diverting vested rights? This of course inde- 
pendent of the constitutional provision respecting contracts. 
. . . On general principles," he adds, "I am ver>^ confident 
the court at Washington would be with us. . . . If we get 
up one of these cases in due form, we shall defeat our adversaries." 
"I am particularly glad," he wrote at another time, "that an 
ejectment is brought. It is just what should be done." The 
cases were duly entered the last of March, and came before Judge 
Story at Portsmouth the first of May. Mr. Marsh, to whom 
the conduct of these cases was entrusted by the other counsel, 
was in attendance. He wrote to President Brown from Boston, 
May 2d: 

I have just returned from Portsmouth where I have been two days past- 
The actions are all continued, but the court made the most positive injunction 
on the defendants to plead in season and be prepared for trial early the next 
term, and it was suggested that an adjourned term would be holden for their 
trial if necessary in order that some one or more of them might be entered in 
the Supreme Court at next term. The Judge intimated that this was of great 
importance as the action now there did not perhaps present all the questions 
that would naturally arise out of the controversy and as it was time the con- 
troversy should be finished, the judge assured the parties that nothing should 
be wanting on the part of the court to place the actions in such train as would 
insure their final decision. Thus I think our reasonable expectations will be 
answered for a full and candid hearing, and an impartial decision is all that we 
ought to desire and this I think without doubt we shall have. The judge was 
very ready in every question moved, and conducted with much propriety and 
dignity, and on a considerable acquaintance which I had an opportunity of 
making with him I have much reason to feel an increased degree of confidence 
in his ability and integrity, and this whether we win or lose our particular 
case or causes is to me a great consolation. 

He wrote from further Woodstock, May i8: 

Appearances on the part of the Court were much as you had predicted. 
They seemed disposed to pursue the most liberal course in respect to the actions, 
and expressed much satisfaction that they had been commenced. . . . The 
Circuit Judge [Story] expressed particularly his approbation of the action of 
ejectment brought in the English form which he was happy to see introduced, 
as being in many cases more useful and better calculated to try the rights of 

' Webster's Priv. Cor., I, 278. ' Ibid, i, pp. 274 and 2S3. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 155 

parties in disputes relative to real property. ... It was evident that 
defendants counsel did not feel much confidence in their defense, and that they 
are sensible their cause is declining and cannot be maintained. 

At the sitting of the legislature in June President Allen of the 
University preached the annual election sermon, and President 
Brown of the College delivered a discourse before the ecclesiasti- 
cal convention assembled at the same time in Concord, a circum- 
stance that id.\r\y illustrates the different constituencies of the 
parties. In April, 1818, a "College Congress" was projected 
and President Brown was invited to join in it. The first meeting 
was held at Boston, May 26, 181 8, at which eight colleges were 
represented, including, besides Dartmouth, Yale, Harvard, 
Bowdoin, University of Vermont, Middlebury, Williams, and 
Andover Theological Seminary. President Allen was not invited. 

The finances of the University were already in great distress. 
Those of the College were sufficiently precarious, but students' 
quarter bills and subscriptions from abroad kept it alive, while 
the University was like to perish from inanition. It derived very 
little income from Wheelock's gift (none at all as it resulted), and 
hardly any from the tenants of the college lands, who wisely and 
only too readily displayed a reluctance to pay to either party 
pending the controversy. It had no resources in the hearts of 
the people and no subscriptions. Students in the University 
were too few to afford relief by their quarter bills, while the execu- 
tive machinery v»as planned upon a scheme quite out of propor- 
tion to either the number of students or its pecuniary resources. 
The income was not adequate even to cover the charges of litiga- 
tion and the ordinary contingent expenses. 

As we have seen, the trial had hardly closed at Washington 
before the counsel began to call for their fees, and Mr. Hale 
wrote to President Allen that Mr. Wirt, while declining to name 
his fee, said that the minimum fee for the case in the Supreme 
Court was $300, and this case was a very important one and had 
called for considerable labor and might require more. Mr. Hale 
thought that Mr. Wirt ought to have $500, but as no money, 
came from Hanover, Mr. Hale paid him in April $200, and Gen. 
Ripley added $100, both with the expectation of being reimbursed 
by the University. President Allen was at his wits' end for money, 
''I have reason to think," he wrote to Mr. Hale in April, "that 
the funds are not in a good state, for I have received nothing for 
my services, more than a year," and in fact, payment of salaries 
was out of the question, so that some of the professors began to 



156 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

be seriously distressed. He and Judge Woodward talked of 
"a solicitation," but it offered no hope and they turned to the 
legislature, the author of the University, to sustain it. Appli- 
cation for assistance was made to the General Court at its June 
session, and after considerable difficulty $4,000 were obtained, 
but then only as a loan payable in one year with interest, and 
secured by a bond of the Trustees "in their corporate capacity." 
The sum was sufficient to pay but a part of the debts already 
incurred, especially as in August Mr. Hale called for $1,500 "to 
pay our counsel in Washington." 

In place of the customary celebration of Independence Day 
the Handel Society, with the Hubbard Musical Society of Pier- 
mont and Orford, aided by select performers from abroad, gave 
an exhibition of sacred music in the meeting house on Thursday, 
July 2, commencing at ten o'clock in the forenoon, and at three 
o'clock in the afternoon.^ The prospectus announced that, 

In order to defray the expenses incident thereto (the members of the socie- 
ties taking no compensation for their services) and to assist those societies in 
replenishing their libraries with the works of the great Handel & Hayden, which 
are now reprinting in this country, it is proposed that the price of admission 
to the house be twenty five cents for each person. . . . The words set to 
the different pieces of music will be printed for distribution in the house. It 
has heretofore been contemplated that these Oratorios should take the place 
of the less solemn interesting and instructive method of celebrating the day 
which gave birth to our civil freedom, but as the 4th of July falls this year on 
Saturday it is thought advisable to fix on a day further removed from the 
Sabbath.' 

R. D. MussEY 1 Committee 
Noah Smith \ of the Handel 
Samuel Long J Society. 

The only instrumental accompaniment was the double bass 
viol, owned by the Handel Society, which was managed on this 
occasion with rare skill. The whole met with the highest praise 
from a respectable and appreciative audience. An address by 

> Dartmouth Gazette, June 3, 1818. 

» Following was the order of exercises: "Chorus, We praise thee. O God. Christmas. Air, 
Comfort ye my people: Chor. The Lord gave the word : Air, How beautiful: Chor. Their 
sound is gone out: Air, How beautiful: Chor. Break forth into joy: Anthem; Rejoice O ye 
righteous. St. Martins. Air. He shall feed his flock : Chor. Behold the Lamb of God : Chor. 
He gave them hailstones for rain: Chor. The Heavens are telling: Air, He was despised : 
Chor. Surely he hath born our griefs. Worms. Chor. Moses and the children of Israel: 
Air. When the sun: Anthem. When winds breathe soft. Psalm XCVII: Anthem, Teach me, 
OLord. Old Hundred. Anthem. I waited patiently: Anthem, Hear my prayer: Air, Behold 
and see: Chor. Worthy is the Lamb: Chor. Hallelujah, OJudah, rejoice: Anthem, Who can 
express? Chor. Hallelujah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth." Dartmouth Gazette, 
June 3. 1818. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 157 

Rev. James W. Woodward upon the importance and duty of 
sacred music in divine worship constituted a portion of the 
exercises.^ 

Even the heavens contributed to the excitement of the season. 
On the evening of July 17, 1818, at about half past nine o'clock 
a remarkable meteor was observed simultaneously at Hanover 
and at Middlebury, Montpelier, Topsham and Newbury, Vt. 
A careful account of its appearance at Middlebury was published 
by Professor Frederick Hall.^ It appeared of different magnitude 
to different persons. It was observed by one person from the 
zenith down. He noticed it three times so violently agitated as 
to cause it to roll over and emit for the instant an increased light, 
though each time diminishing in bulk, and sending out scintilla- 
tions which continued luminous to some distance. Several 
minutes later, after it had disappeared, three explosions were 
heard, likened to cannon fired in quick succession, by which 
houses were jarred. Its apparent diameter was estimated by 
careful observers at one third or one fourth that of the moon; 
and the intervals between the flashes and the explosions at two 
and one half minutes. It was visible at Hanover but a few 
seconds, and its direction from a point about 40 degrees above 
the horizon was towards the northeast.' It was spoken of as a 
brilliant and sublime sight. The observations indicated that it 
probably fell near Newbury or Topsham, and some persons in 
Topsham were so confident that they went in search of it, but 
did not find it. 

On the 9th of August the University met with a severe loss in 
the death of Judge Woodward at the early age of 43.* He had 
been in failing health for some time and had practically given up 
his duties as treasurer, which had devolved upon Professor Per- 
kins, who was afterward chosen as his successor. His adherence 
to the University had been injurious to the College, but the 
injury was one of inconvenience rather than of absolute loss, for 
if he had remained steadfast to the College he would not have 

> Dartmouth Gazette, July 22, 1818. 

^Dartmouth Gazette, August 5. 1818. 

' Ibid. 

< William H. Woodward (the H. was adopted In 1807), the oldest son of Bezaleel Woodward 
(Vol. I, 269), was graduated from the College in 1792, and studying law settled in Hanover, 
where he acquired an extensive practice. In 18 13, when the State was divided into two districts 
for the Court of Common Pleas, he was appointed judge of the western district, and he held this 
office till his death. He was treasurer of the College from 1805. He was a man of a very gentle 
nature, yet of much reserve. He was very prominent in the Masonic order, and was also very 
fond of farming, and made many careful experiments in his attempts to learn the best methods, 
and kept full accounts of his experiments. Eulogy on W. H. Woodward by Cyrus Perkins, M.D. 



158 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

thereby made tenants and leaseholders any more ready to pay 
their dues to the College, as long as doubt existed as to which 
board had the lawful title. His restraint of the books and papers 
gave to the old Trustees a favorable chance to test the legality 
of the acts of the legislature by a suit against him. 

Taught by the experience of the previous year, the Trustees at 
their meeting in February, "in order to avoid all collision re- 
specting the place for the public exercises" authorized holding 
Commencement, if necessary, one week earlier than usual, viz., 
on August 17, the third Wednesday of the month instead of the 
fourth Wednesday as formerly. There was no building in which 
the College could hold its exercises except the meeting house, 
while the chapel was large enough to accommodate the Univer- 
sity, as it had done the year before. Early in June President 
Brown wrote to President Allen, calling his attention to this fact 
and asking the assurance of the University that there would be 
no interference with the exercises of the College in the church. 
At the same time he stated that rather than risk the possibility 
of a collision the College would hold its Commencement a week 
earlier than usual. As President Allen declined to give the de- 
sired assurance, on the gounds that the Trustees of the Univer- 
sity had not considered the question. President Brown, "in behalf 
of the Executive Officers," gave public notice of the change in 
the newspapers about the 20th of June. 

The Commencement of the College came, therefore, on the 
17th of August, when twenty-six were graduated to the first de- 
gree in arts and twelve doctors in medicine, and the exercises 
were concluded by a "splendid ball in the evening at the hall of 
the Dartmouth Hotel, which was ornamented with all the ele- 
gance and brilliancy that female beauty could impart." The 
University adhered to the established date and the two anni- 
versaries accordingly passed ofT quietly, a week apart. The 
exercises of the University comprised a poem, and, as before, 
seven orations, two members of the graduating class "perform- 
ing" twice, and two candidates for the master's degree having 
parts. A eulog}' on William H. Woodward by Dr. Cyrus Per- 
kins brought the exercises to a close. 

The academic year of the College opened anew September 
21 with the accession of thirty-eight students. The University 
began a week later with a freshman class of four, all natives of 
Hagnover.^ 

' Dartmouth Gazette, August 19 and September 23, 1818. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 159 

In October the new cases came on before the United States 
Circuit Court at Exeter. Mr. Marsh was again in attendance, 
and wrote Mr. Olcott, October 3, from SaHsbury on his way- 
home: 

All things succeeded to a charm at Exeter. Defendants counsel were per- 
fectly well disposed towards consenting to special verdicts in all the cases. 
Under the general agreement to insert any other matters or thing as the court 
or counsel may think proper at Washington they propose to insert a copy of Dr. 
Wheelock's will and all the acts of legislature which either relate to the Col- 
lege or Moor's School. By the will they intend to show that John Wheelock 
was appointed President under the charter and by the will, and could not be 
removed by the Trustees, and also that as heir at law of the founder he could 
perhaps assent to the passing of the late acts and by the other acts, that 
Moor's School was always a distinct affair, a private corporation, while the 
College was a public one. Our lawyers think all this nothing, but propose 
by way of set off to show that Radulphus Wheelock was the eldest son [and as 
proposed by Judge Smith, "then alive and the most worthy"] i and that Dr. J. 
Wheelock was removed by the Trustees before passing the late acts. 

Copies of these papers and others, in all numbering thirty,^ 
were presented to the college counsel in December and admitted 
as "duly authenticated." The special verdicts were drawn by 
Judge Smith and settled during the same month of December, and 
went up from the Circuit Court with the causes on a pro forma 
certificate of division of opinion as of the October term. 

The University people were wholly dissatisfied with the presen- 
tation of the former case in Washington, and during the vacation 
laid their plans to have it reargued by William Pinkney of Bal- 
timore. Early in November Mr. Pinkney notified the College 
counsel of their purpx)se, and in January Doctor Perkins spent 
a week in conference with him at Baltimore, to familiarize him 
with the case. But it was at best a forlorn hope. 

It cannot be expected (wrote Mr. Hopkinson to Webster November 17, 
1818]' that we shall repeat our argument merely to enable Mr. Pinkney to 
make a speech, or that a cause shall be reargued because, after the argument 
has been concluded, and the court has the case under advisement, either party 
may choose to employ new counsel. I think if the court consents to hear Mr. 
Pinkney it will be a great stretch of complaisance and that we should not give 
our consent to any such proceeding. But if Mr. Pinkney on his own applica- 
tion is permitted to speak we should claim our right of reply. The court can- 

' Shirley, p. 282. 

*Mr. Mason wrote, December 11: "Mr. Bartlett has called with the papers in the Coll. 
cases. . . . He Is very urgent to have the newly discovered papers admitted. But I 
believe we shall get rid of him without making any important admissions except that his oflSce 
copies are duly authenticated." Shirley, pp. 284 and 286. 

3 Webster's Priv. Cor.. I, 288-89. 



i6o History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

not want to have our argument repeated; and they will hardly require us to 
do it for the accommodation of Mr. Pinkney. 

It was insisted by both Mr. Webster and Mr. Hopkinson that 
if reargument de novo were ordered it must be done by other 
counsel, but the selection was postponed to see the event of the 
application. It was Pinkney 's intention "to put the case on the 
ground that all the power of Parliament belongs to the N. H. 
legislature," ^ and it was generally expected that he would be 
heard. Judge Story's correspondence shows that as late as 
December 9 he expected it and looked for a splendid display of 
argumentative power. The court met on Monday, February i. 
^'It is most probable, perhaps," wrote Webster that day,^ 
"that Pinkney will succeed in his motion, although I do not 
think it by any means certain; not a word has fallen as yet 
from any judge on the cause. They keep their own counsel. 
All that I have seen however looks rather favorable. I hope to 
be relieved of further anxiety by a decision for or against us in 
five or six days. I'd not have another such cause for the College 
plain and all its appurtenances." The next morning Mr. Pinkney 
was in court to present his motion. No other counsel for the 
University was present. Instantly upon the opening of the Court 
Chief Justice Marshall forestalled his purpose by announcing, as 
usual at the opening of the Court, opinions formed during vaca- 
tion. The first so announced was that in the College cause, read 
by the Chief Justice himself and favorable to the College view.^ 

Mr. Justice Duvall dissented, without giving reasons, and Jus- 
tice Todd was sick and absent. The University people were in 
consternation. They had confidently expected a reargument and 
among other things were "dumbfounded" to find Judge Story 
against them. Their partisans did not hesitate, as openly as they 
dared, to insinuate unworthy motives in the Court and to berate 
their counsel in New Hampshire.* 

> Webster to Mason, December 22, 18 18. Manuscript in New Hampshire Historical Society 
Library. 

s Shirley, p. 243. 

' Mr. Shirley tells us on the authority of Mr. Duncan, that Mr. Olcott used to relate how on 
this occasion the "old Chief" turned his "blind ear" toward Pinkney, greatly to his discom- 
fiture and the amusement of the bar. Although no argument was made the University paid 
Mr. Pinkney I3S0 for his services. 

« The New Hampshire Patriot drew pointed attention to the fact that during the pendency 
of the cause (in which all institutions of learning were equally interested) the degree of Doctor 
of Laws had been conferred by other colleges upon Justices Livingston and Johnson, and that 
Justice Story had been chosen a member of the Corporation of Harvard College. The subject 
would be worth not even a passing notice were it not that Mr. Shirley in his valuable mono- 
graph on the college causes, without impugning in the least the honesty of the judges, goes great 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 161 

Dr. Perkins, who was in attendance at Washington, wrote to 
President Allen a bitter letter of disappointment, declaring 
that there had been "monkery" in the case, and laying the blame 
for defeat upon its management at home. "How unfortunate 
we are," he wrote, "in not having our case properly prepared in 
New Hampshire for this Court." ^ The failure he believed was 
due to an improper statement of facts, "which ought to have been 
found by the jury in New Hampshire — ^and I know could have 
been with such documents as we had at command, but for the 
numbskulls we had for counsel." Three days later, February 
14, he wrote again: "Mr. Pinkney is most prodigiously vexed 
with the management of the cause in New Hampshire, and says 
that if it should be lost it will be lost by the very slovenly man- 
ner in which it has been conducted." He hoped for a restate- 
ment of facts and proposed it to Mr. Webster, but he would 
"admit nothing." Advising on the course to be pursued at 
Hanover he urged the officers to hold on, as the college officers 
had done, to retain the donations of Wheelock and perhaps later 
move to Concord, where more funds could soon be obtained than 
the College had. He thought it important that Hill should know 
that they had lost their case "by the misstatements and tricks 
of the Octagon's counsel — taking new ground at the U. S. Court, 
when our counsel could not be furnished with the necessary facts 
to put down the impudent falsehoods which were palmed on the 
Court. Something of this sort may be necessary for the safety 
of the pending election ; for no expedient will be untried by those 
creatures to carry their purpose." 

lengths In suggesting by the skillful use of italics and otherwise the exertion of improper influ- 
ences by the friends of the college. His insinuations are impartially distributed upon all 
distinguished men who had a hand in the case on the college side. He makes much of a de- 
struction of papers by Judge Smith in 1824, and of the influencesconfessedly broughttobearupon 
Judge Story and Chancellor Kent, though he declares that "it is no discredit to Story that he 
changed his opinion but the contrary." At the same time he himself tells us, with no word of 
reproach, of the means used by the University people to fix the two New York judges through 
Chancellor Kent and of their enticing Judge Story into being their counsel in advance. He 
seems to ignore the fact that the charge, which he more than insinuates, is, if true, doubly dis- 
graceful to Chancellor Kent and to the justices themselves— to their judicial purity, if they were 
consciously influenced, and to their mental capacity if they were so unwittingly. The truth is, 
as Mr. Shirley himself conclusively shows, that the impartiality of the court was in fact endan- 
gered, in the manner above related, by the acts of some restless friends of the University in a 
v/ay that compelled the officers of the College to counteract their schemes. But there is no hint 
of any thing else to be inferred from anything that the writer has been able to find. It is fair 
to remember that, even without the letters and papers destroyed by Judge Smith, of whose 
contents we are ignorant, we have laid open to the public eye the intimate correspondence, in 
hundreds of letters, of all the eminent men on the college side; nothing is withheld so far as 
known, while on the part of the University but little of that sort is open to us. Mr. Shirley 
in one instance (p. 270) implies a withholding of certain letters of Webster's, but an examination 
of the letters themselves, which have since come into the hands of the writer, reveals that the 
extract furnished him and published comprises everything in them that relates to the subject. 
11 



1 62 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

The disappointment of others was equally keen though ex- 
pressed with less bitterness. The chief responsibility in Washing- 
ton had rested upon Mr. Hale and he had already wearied of it. 
He was not fearful of an adverse decision but he foresaw the 
difficulties that beset the University. Early in January he wrote 
to Governor Plumer:^ 

My feelings in relation to our University are the same as yours. I fear we 
shall make nothing of it. I accepted the office of trustee, as you know, reluc- 
tantly, and only because, at that moment, the board could not do without me. 
It is my purpose to resign as soon as the cause is decided in our favor, and in 
this manner I trust I shall show that if the public have done much for me I have 
repaid them in part. 

Again on the 29th of March he wrote:' 

Of the college cause I do not yet despair. Upon the facts before them the 
Court decided that the old charter was a contract with the individuals who made 
the donations. If it should be found that the State made all or nearly all of 
the donations, some new foundation for such an opinion must be discovered. 
In my opinion the Court would go far to find it. What monstrous strides they 
made, at the last term, to restrict the power of the States! 

The Governor was equally disappointed in the decision and in 
the haste with which it was made, without waiting for a second 
argument, and saw in it the assumption of jurisdiction on the 
part of the Court, warranted neither by the constitution nor 
statute law, and tending toward the consolidation of the States. 
He believed that it would be soon reversed. 

The college people, on the other hand, were correspondingly 
elated. The opinion, as Webster wrote, went "the whole length 
and left not an inch of ground for the University to stand on." 
Mr. Hopkinson wrote to President Brown:' "The Court goes 
all lengths with us, and whatever trouble these gentlemen may 
give us in future in their great and pious zeal for the interests 
of learning they cannot shake the principles which must and will 
restore Dartmouth College to its true and original owners. I 
would have an inscription over the door of your building, 
' 'Founded by Eleazar Wheelock, Refounded by Daniel Webster." 
At another time he wrote: "The cause had in itself everything to 
interest the feelings and stimulate the exertions of your counsel, 
and our success is an honorable monument of the justice of our 
laws, and the independence with which they are administered." 

' Plumer Correspondence, Congressional Library. 

» Ibid. 

» Webster's Priv. Cor., I, 301. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 163 

To avoid the technical inconvenience occasioned by the death 
of Mr. Woodward, Mr. Webster moved for judgment as of the 
preceding term. This was granted on February 23, 1819, not- 
withstanding the opposition of Messrs. Pinkney and Wirt, who 
claimed delay till the other causes should be heard. These 
causes, which a little while ago had been so ardently urged, were 
now in the way, and the Court, having already decided the main 
question, could do no more with the supplementary causes than 
remand them to the Circuit Court for further proceedings in the 
light of the principles thus established. The University party 
was very anxious that Messrs. Pinkney and Wirt should argue 
one of them on the ground of new facts, but aside from the per- 
sonal estrangement of the two men, which rendered it difficult 
for them to work together, there were difficulties in the case, as 
indicated in a letter from Webster to Judge Smith, February 
28, 1819.1 

As to the other causes, Messrs. Pinkney and Wirt have been very much 
pressed by the agents and partizans here to argue one of these causes upon the 
ground of the new facts. By the time, however, that we approached near the 
causes they saw difficulties, and their zeal began to cool. It was impossible 
to agree on definite facts. It was hardly possible to expect any different result 
than had already taken place from another argument without new facts. Some 
of the opinions of the judges appeared to go so far as to be decisive against 
them, even taking the new facts for granted. At the same time we heard 
here the echoes of the clamor in New Hampshire that the cause had not been 
heard on its true facts. I called up the subject a day or two before we should 
have reached the causes, and desired to know, from the Counsel, whether it 
was expected to argue one of those causes. This brought on a conversation 
between Bench and Bar, which finally terminated in this: that the causes 
should be remanded by consent; that Defendants might, in Circuit Court, 
move to set aside this Verdict, if they should be so advised, when the opinions 
of the judges in Woodward's case should be read and known — I found this 
course would be agreeable, and adopted it at once. In truth I did not want a 
second argument here upon an assumption of facts. If I do not misjudge, we 
shall have no difficulty in the Circuit Court. 

Intelligence of the decision of the court at Washington reached 
Hanover February 9, during the winter vacation and naturally 
occasioned hearty rejoicing. "The expressions of joy were ex- 
cessive. The officers of the College entreated the inhabitants 
repeatedly to desist, but to no purpose"; cannon were fired 
by them that evening and also the next m.orning. On Mon- 
day, March i, the spring term began. President Allen an- 

» Shirley, p. 244. 



164 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X- 

nounced that the course of instruction in the University was 
indefinitely suspended, and though he declined to surrender 
the keys, suffered the officers of the College to take quiet 
possession of the chapel and college building, excepting the 
library which the latter avoided entering lest they should 
relieve President Allen from responsibility for the books, 
which it was supposed had been largely removed or lost. 
Professors Dean, Carter and Searle had already departed, 
and Dr. Perkins set about arranging his affairs preparatory to 
removal, announcement being made that the students of the 
University would be received into the college classes on the same 
terms as from any other college.^ Six availed themselves of the 
privilege, and the remainder vanished, but others came in so 
that the number of students, reduced the previous year to less 
than 100, was restored at the opening of the fall term to the 
normal average of about 150. The abandonment of the Uni- 
versity was rather ungraciously set forth in the following notice:^ 

NOTICE. 

The students and friends of Dartmouth University are informed that its 
immediate officers have resolved to suspend the course of instruction in that 
seminary. It is due to the public that the cause of this resolution should be 
explained. A few days ago the Rev. F. Brown requested me to give him pos- 
session of the Chapel &c — A request with which of course I could not comply 
the legal controversy being yet unsettled. Last evening I received from him 
a note, saying "the government of the College after consulting gentlemen of 
legal information have concluded to occupy the Chapel tomorrow morning." 
Accordingly this morning the Chapel which was under lock and key was 
entered and wrested from the University by force. In like manner have been 
taken the tutors rooms and other apartments. I have nothing to say in regard 
to the motives which induced this determination to outstrip the steps of the 
law and to retake by force the buildings for the recovery of which a suit against 
me, by way of writ of ejectment has been brought by Charles Marsh Esq. of 
Vermont (the lessee of this very property under "The Trustees of the College" 
so-called) and is still pending in the Court of the United States. But being 
thus deprived of the Chapel and other conveniences, the officers of instruction 
in the University are reduced to the necessity of suspending the discharge of 
the duties in which by authority of the State they have been engaged. 

William Allen, President. 
Dartmouth University 

Monday March 1st, 1819. 

The position here taken was calculated to work serious injury 
to the College by keeping up the uncertainty in the public mind, 
and prolonging the difficulties of college administration. The 

1 Dartmouth Gazette, March 3, 1819. ' New Hampshire Patriot, March 9. 1819. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 165 

most sanguine supporter of the University could hardly have 
imagined, in view of the sweeping decision at Washington, that 
the issue of the auxiliary causes could essentially benefit the 
condition of the University, or lessen the security of the College. 
The most that could be effected was friction for the College, but 
it was perhaps too much to expect that the bitterness of defeat 
should be accepted in silence. As it was the three auxiliary 
causes, devised with so much trouble and ingenuity, and so 
urgently pushed, thus became a source of embarrassment to 
their promoters, and the problem was how soonest to be rid of 
them. The only way was to force them to an immediate issue. 
Timely notice was, therefore, given by Mr. Marsh to President 
Allen to be ready for trial at the May term. But Mr. Allen 
craved delay. 

Hanover April 15, 1819. 
Hon. C. Marsh: 

Sir, — On the 8th or 9th inst. I received notice from you that the plaintiff 
in the suit remanded to the circuit court would insist upon a trial in May. 
We had no expectation of a trial at that time and had made no preparation for 
that event, supposing that a postponement this year as last year would be 
a matter of course. Our papers were left at Washington, and although we 
have written for them since your notice, yet know not that they will be 
received in season for the trial. They cannot be received in season to be 
studied by counsel. It is therefore to be hoped that you will not insist upon 
the trial until October & that you will put yourself to no trouble in regard to 
a trial in May. To you it can make no difference, as there will be an appeal, 
& a new argument next winter at Washington. 

Yours &c, 

Wm. Allen. 

Mr. Marsh thus responded : 

W ODSTOCK 22'' April 1819. 

Rev. William Allen: 

Sir, — I received by the last Tuesday's mail your letter of 15th instant in 
which you say that you could not be ready for trial at the next term of the Cir- 
cuit Court in the cause remanded to that Court from the Supreme Court of 
the U. S., and add that "to you it can make no difference as there will be an 
appeal and a new argument next winter at Washington." 

It may with propriety be observed that the Special Verdict in the case The 
Trustees of Dartmouth College vs. Wm. H. Woodward embraced all the 
facts which ever ought or which ever can have any effect in deciding the real 
matter of controversy between the College and University, or between those 
claiming rights or property under them respectively. 

The legislature of N. H. in passing the Acts of June and December 1816 
assumed the broad principle that allowing the corporation to be such an one as 
the charter seemed to make it they had a right to alter the charter and to asso- 
ciate others with the former trustees to share with them the franchises of the 



1 66 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

corporation. You Sir and all those acting under the authority of those acts 
have adopted the same principle. 

Now Sir let me ask how after this principle has failed you by a solemn decis- 
ion of the Court you can now reasonably desire to have the controversy decided 
upon an entirely different principle by a recurrence to some antiquated papers 
and circumstances which were never taken into consideration by the legisla- 
ture, and which never entered into the views of the parties. 

Again Sir let me ask whether you can possibly persuade yourself that the 
nature of the corporation and the extent of the powers and privileges of its 
members can ever be ascertained except by a recurrence merely to the terms 
and a sound construction of the charter by which it was erected? Can you 
believe that the nature of a charter of fifty years standing is now to be deter- 
mined by something ah extra, which might have happened at about the time it 
issued; the evidence of which rests in loose unrecorded and indefinite narratives, 
letters or pamphlets to which the charter does not even refer; or that the 
nature of the corporation can ever be altered by any donation made to it after 
its establishment, by the government or individuals? 

If Sir you can answer any of these questions affirmatively I can only express 
my surprise that an honest and well informed man should entertain such an 
extravagant opinion. I am confident that no sound lawyer ever has given or 
ever can give any advice to this efTect. 

You have only to recur to a principle familiar to every man in common life, 
that a deed must be explained by itself unless it refer to something without, 
and in such case you can only prove what the thing referred to is, or which of 
several things was intended by the reference. If I am correct in this your 
papers would be of no consequence if here, and if the Circuit Court is of that 
opinion they will not continue a cause for the production of papers which they 
could not admit if produced. 

I do not think delay in these causes of so little consequence as you seem to 
imagine. The expense is very considerable and the real and only question in 
controversy being decided, there should now be an end to contention. With 
these views of the subject I cannot consent to a continuance. You must 
therefore proceed to trial or obtain a continuance byanapplication to the Court. 
We shall also insist that if you move a continuance you shall in your affidavit 
for that purpose inform what the nature of the papers, on account of the ab- 
sence of which you wish a continuance, is, that the Court may judge of the 
pertinency to the question at issue. 

I am &c. 

Charles Marsh. 

On the opening of the Circuit Court at Portsmouth, May i, 
1819, Judge Story delivered an opinion, disposing of the auxiliary 
causes in conformity to the opinion of the Supreme Court in the 
main action, but, on request, granted delay until the session of 
his court in Boston a few weeks later to enable the defendants 
to produce the nev/ facts that they relied on. This was done by 
James T. Austen of the Board of Overseers on May 27, but 
nothing appeared to change the aspect of the cases, and judg- 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 167 

ment entered for the plaintiffs as of the same term, celebrated 
the final obsequies of the University, and made an end of the 
posthumous litigation.^ 

It has since been whispered that there were in truth other facts 
not brought out that would have been decisive against the Col- 
lege. There is even a tradition, which we must think mistaken, 
that Webster once made such a statement to Choate, but the 
nature of these terrible facts has not been disclosed. It has been 
surmised that they bore on the original validity of the charter as 
being beyond the power of Wentworth to grant, but it is not easy 
to see how this can be so. Webster's confidential letters give no 
hint of such a danger. He wrote to President Brown: "I have 
no fear of any evil resulting from using any extracts from Boston 
or elsewhere. ... I had before heard of their intentions 
respecting introducing the correspondence of Dr. Wheelock &c." 
"I flatter myself," he wrote to Mr. Mason April 10, 1819,^ "the 
Judge will tell the defendants that the new facts which they talk 
of, were presented to the minds of the judges at Washington, and 
that if all proved they would not have the least effect on the opin- 
ion of any judge — that unless it can be proved that the King did 
not grant such a charter as the special verdict recites, or that the 
N. H. General Court did not pass such acts as are therein con- 
tained, no material alteration of the case can be made." 

President Allen and the University people were thoroughly 
familiar with all the historical details, and their New Hampshire 
counsel were of the keenest. It is inconceivable that any point 
of such importance should escape them. The correspondence 
between President Allen, Dr. Perkins and their counsel at Wash- 
ington has much to say about new facts, but these new facts all had 
to do with the attempt to show that Dr. Wheelock was not the 
founder of the College, a point that had already been under dis- 
cussion, and they proved to have no bearing on the matter. It 
is true that Governor Wentworth 's commission nowhere con- 
ferred upon him the power to erect a corporation of this de- 
scription. The charter never having been confirmed by the Crown 
may perhaps have been open to question at the beginning, but 
it is hard to believe that the infirmity, if any, was not cured 
subsequent to the Revolution, by the repeated recognition of the 
College as a legal body in numerous acts of the State legislature, 

» As they are nowhere else to be found, the enrollment and degrees conferred by the Univer- 
sity are, for the sake of preservation, inserted in Appendix C . 
' Shirley, p. 304. 



i68 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

by the acts of 1789, and 1807, which changed the constitution 
of the corporation as to lands given by the State, and even by the 
controverted acts of 181 6 themselves. If this were not enough the 
act of February 8, 1791, in regulating towns and describing cor- 
porate powers expressly declared, "That all trustees of colleges, 
academies, schools, and proprietors of common and undivided 
lands, grants and other estates or interest, be, and hereby are 
empowered to sue, prosecute and defend any action and to ap- 
point an agent or agents, attorney or attornies to appear for them 
and in their behalf." 

To gratify the wide-spread interest in the college cause, and 
draw the public into closer sympathy with the College, the pub- 
lication of the pleadings, arguments and opinions in book form 
was undertaken by Mr. Timothy Farrar, Jr., then a lawyer of 
growing eminence at Portsmouth, son of the trustee of the same 
name, and one of the college counsel, under the active encourage- 
ment of the college authorities and of Webster and the other 
counsel.^ The idea had been suggested after the argument at 
Exeter two years before in 181 7, but the work was not actively 
undertaken until the final decision at Washington. It was then 
pushed forward as rapidly as possible in the hope of having it 
out by midsummer. Shorthand was not then in use, and the 
work involved the difficult task of writing out the arguments 
from memory. Counsel on both sides wrote out their arguments 
or furnished their minutes to Mr. Farrar. There were also short 
notes of the Exeter arguments taken down at the time by Mr. 
Webster. Judge Smith prepared the report of his own, and Mr. 
Webster, besides his own, wrote out also Mr. Hopkinson's from 
minutes furnished by the latter, all but about two pages added by 
Mr. Hopkinson himself. The book of 406 pages was published 
in 1 8 19 and made available for common knowledge in exact form 
not only the arguments in the case but also the decision itself, 
which, says Chancellor Kent in his commentaries,' "did more 
than any other single act proceeding from the authority of the 
United States to throw an impregnable barrier around all rights 
and franchises derived from the grant of Government, and to 
give solidity and inviolability to the literary, charitable, religious 
and commercial institutions of our country." 

The collapse of the University brought into clear view the 

"Mr. Shirley has given an interesting account of its progress and mode of compilation. 
Chapter XI. 
' Kent's Commentaries, Vol. I, p. 392. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University. 169 

disastrous state of its finances. From the beginning it had been 
living on the expectation of funds that belonged to the College 
and of aid from the State. The entire expense of maintaining it 
for two years, from March 4, 1817 to March i, 1819, including 
the expense of litigation, had been about $8,000, and aside from 
the $4,000 received from the State as a loan in 18 18 its cash 
receipts from students' quarter bills, its only source of revenue, 
had amounted by March, 18 19, to not quite $300. A nearly 
equal amount was due from students on their notes or bonds, but 
this of course was not collectible, though about $100 were paid 
within a year,^ so that the total amount ultimately accruing to the 
University from students was not far from $400. Upward of 
$500 was, indeed, received from the rents of the lands given by 
President Wheelock, but the gifts themselves becoming void 
by the conditions, these rents were in the end claimed by 
Mrs. Allen, heir of President Wheelock, and were paid over 
to her. From the lessees of the college lands nothing at all was 
derived, or from the funds of Moor's School or from the Scotch 
funds. The loan from the State had quickly disappeared in the 
partial payment of overdue salaries, in necessary expenses and 
in the fees of counsel, leaving a considerable load of debt, which 
steadily increased. 

The first, and in fact the only, question before the Trustees of 
the University after the final decision against them, was how to 
obtain the money with which to pay their debts, especially the 
amounts due those who had accepted their invitation to pro- 
fessorships and had carried on the work of the University. They 
had no funds and no income, nor could they expect any gifts 
except from the legislature, in carrying out whose acts they had 
contracted their debts. When, therefore, according to adjourn- 
ment from the last annual meeting, they came together in 
Mason's hall in Concord on June 4, their only business was to 
appoint a committee, Messrs. Darling, Eastman and Hale, to 
settle the accounts of the treasurer. Adjourning to the 9th 
they met again at Hutchins's Hotel in Concord, the last meeting 
of which there is a record, and appointed "a committee to meet 
a committee of the Legislature, should one be appointed, and 
disclose to them the state of the concerns of the Corporation and 
the amount of its debts, dues and claims." Mr. Darling was 
chosen treasurer in place of Dr. Perkins, who resigned, and a 
vote was passed, though it was recognized as wanting in validity, 

' Letter of President Allen to Committee of Legislature. 



170 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

fixing the salary due Mr. Allen, as President and Professor of 
Theology, at $1,200 a year for his two years of service. 

In the discharge of its duty the committee presented to the 
legislature in June the following petition which is in the hand- 
writing of President Allen :^ 

The undersigned, in behalf of the Trustees of Dartmouth University beg 
leave respectfully to represent that under the acts of your honorable body, 
amending the charter of Dartmouth College, passed in the year 1816, the cor- 
poration was duly organized notwithstanding the refusal of the former Trustees 
of the College to submit to those acts; that the necessary ofificers of the Uni- 
versity were appointed; and that the course of instruction under this new 
organization commenced in March 181 7, amidst peculiar difficulties, which are 
too well known to require explanation, the Institution was supported, and the 
number of students was increasing with rapidity, when circumstances occurred, 
which in March last, constrained the immediate officers of the University to 
suspend the course of instruction. 

Soon after it was known that the Supreme Court of the U. S. had expressed 
an opinion on the suit brought by the former Trustees of the College, these 
officers were forcibly dispossessed of the buildings belonging to the Seminary, 
even while suits for the recovery of those buildings were still pending in the 
Court of the U. S. Thus deprived of the necessary buildings the officers of 
the University permitted the students to seek an admission into other literary 
institutions. Since this period the Executrix of the late Treasurer has deliv- 
ered to the former Trustees all the records and evidences of property which 
had been sued for; this delivery by agreement of parties being accepted instead 
of the damages recovered. By this event, resulting from the decision of the 
Supreme Court of the U. S. your memorialists have been deprived of all the 
ancient funds of the Seminary, from which they have derived no benefit, and 
by the same decision the liberal donation and bequest of the late President 
Wheelock may be forfeited, they being made in consequence of the acts of 
1 8 16, and liable to become void in case those acts should be rendered nugatory. 

These unexpected occurrences have deprived your memorialists of the means 
of fulfilling their pecuniary engagements to the officers whom they have em- 
ployed in the various departments of the Seminary- entrusted to their care, 
and who have labored diligently and with reputation in the discharge of their 
respective duties. 

It was in the faith that the Acts of your honorable body, designed to improve 
what was thought to be a public institution, and what all the authorities of 
N. H. have declared to be such, were valid, that your memorialists in fulfilling 
your wishes pertaining to the interests of literature and science solicited the 
services of these officers; and it is in the perfect confidence that the honorable 
legislature of N. H. in their justice and wisdom and liberality will provide for 
the reward of those services, and will shield from loss, at least in some degree, 
the men who have acted under your authority, that your memorialists present 
this subject to your consideration. 

^Sta^tefdeiS-.New Hampshire Patriot, }\x\v is. 1 819. 



1815-1820/ 



The College and the University. 



171 



As your Agents the Trustees of the University are ready to exhibit a state- 
ment of the expenditures of the said institution as your honorable body may 
require. 

Joshua Darling 
Thomas Beede 
John Harris 
Committee of the Trustees of Dartmouth University. 
Concord, June 6th, 1819 

This petition was referred on the nth, to a committee of ten, 
to which the Senate joined two,^ and on the 17th the committee 
made a report without recommendations but with a clear state- 
ment of the financial affairs of the University. Its receipts and 
expenses were given as follows ■?■ 



DARTMOUTH UNIVERSITY. 



1817-1819. 



Receipts 
Loan from the Legislature $4000. 
Rents of lands given by 

J. Wheelock 517-56 

Tuition of students 297.32 



$4814.. 



Expenses 
Paid to Mrs. Allen, heir of 
of J. Wheelock on fail- 
ure of his gift by ad- 
verse decision $517-56 

Counsel fees at Washing- 
ton 750. 

Ichabod Bartlett, Coun- 
sel 108. 

Salaries: 

Prest. Allen $500. 

Prof. Dean 500, 

" Carter 740. 

Searle 100. 

1840. 

Prest. Allen, Sundries 92.70 

Prof. Dean, expenses of 
defending suit on acct. 
Libraries 33. 

Prof. Carter ditto 59-65 

Treas. Woodward sund. 165.45 

" Cyrus Perkins 200.00 

Exp. to Washington 233.20 

Comet, dinner &c. &c. 480.73 

Bal. in hand Treas. 334-69 

$4814.88 
Hubbard, Bellows, Baker and 



» Messrs. Toppan, Parrott, Pierce, Hall, Evans, Thayer, H. 
Blodgett of the House, and McClary and Durkee of the Senate. 

' H. J., pp. 344-351- There Is an error of lo cts. in the footing of the expenses, the correct 
addition being $4,814.98. The mistake was in stating some item, but there is no means of 
determining in which item the error lies. During the summer the balance was still further 
reduced by the payment of Jioo to George Sullivan, the other New Hampshire counsel. 



172 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. X. 

The debts and assets made a bad showing. 



Debts 




A ssets 




To Wm. Allen, salary 


$1460.17 


Due from students 


$290.09 


" Prof. Dean, " 


723-35 


Bal. in Treas'. hands 


334.69 


" " Carter, " 


403-85 






" " Searle, " 


500. 






" W. H. Wood- 








ward 


412.41 


Not provided for 


3000. 



$3624.78 $3624.78 

The legislature seemed to recognize its obligation to pay the 
debts of the University and the next day a committee of three 
members from the House and one from the Senate ^ was ap- 
pointed "with instructions to report the requisite resolves for 
settling the concerns of said institution." On July i, the com- 
mittee introduced resolves to pay Mr. Allen $1,247.80; and $125 
on account of Moor's School, and to the three professors the sums 
mentioned in the report. As a substitute for these resolutions a 
motion to appoint a committee of three to audit the claims, and 
allow what they thought "just and reasonable", and authorizing 
the payment of the audited claims by the Governor was lost, 
87 to 73, but the same persons * were appointed a committee to 
audit all accounts against the University and "to make a specific 
and particular report at the next session of the General Court 
what sum is due to each officer, and for what particular service, 
and the full amount requisite to discharge said claims," by a 
vote of 80 yeas to 79 noes. 

This committee reported, June 22, 1820,' that there were due 
to 

President Allen for salary $899 . 07 

President Allen for Moor's School 125.00 

Professor Dean for salary 692 . 00 

Professor Carter for salary 460 . 00 

Professor Searle for salary 500 . 00 

Mr. Woodward's estate 785 . 28 

» Messrs. J. Pitman, M. Brown and Cogswell from the House and Dan Young from the Senate. 

•John Bell, Jr., and Richard H. Ayer, members of the Council, and William Pickering the 
State treasurer. 

• H. J., p. a6o. The reduction in the sum proposed for President Allen was due to a credit 
of $483.37 which he gave the University (see his letter to the committee) for various items, and 
to the throwing out of his claim for interest. It was generally thought that f 1,200 were a large 
sum for his annual salary. 



1815-1820.] The College and the University, 173 

There were also other unknown claims, and in the judgment of 
the committee it would require $3,461.35 to meet existing claims. 
No action was taken on the report, but at the November session 
it was taken up on the 23dS and on the next day Mr. Hubbard 
of Charlestown introduced a resolution to pay Professor Dean 
$692, which was carried, no to 63. On the 28th2 resolutions to 
pay Professors Carter and Searle the sums mentioned in the report 
were offered and refused. In the afternoon the resolution to pay 
Professor Searle was again called up and passed, 94 to 83, and 
also one to pay Professor Carter was passed, 92 to 68. Two days 
later a vote to pay the estate of Mr. Woodward $785.28 was lost, 
but later in the day the vote was reconsidered and it was referred 
to a committee, which reported favorably, December 6, but after 
several amendments were proposed and lost, the original motion 
was lost, 74 to 114. On the 12th of December the Senate pro- 
posed to reduce the payments to Professor Dean to $500, to 
Professor Carter to $184, and to Professor Searle to $300. 
These proposals were all accepted by the House, but Governor 
Bell withheld his assent, saying that he had not gathered from 
the acts and proceedings of the legislature any evidence that it 
was the intention to guarantee the payment, and could not, 
therefore, consider the claims as debts due from the State. If 
regarded as donations on account of a loss resulting from an unex- 
pected judicial decision, he believed them inexpedient at a time 
of general pressure and embarrassment. On the reconsideration 
of the question after the Governor's veto the necessary two- 
thirds majority was obtained in the Senate, but not in the House, 
the vote there being yeas 98, nays 78. But three years later ' a 
resolution passed both houses to pay to Professor Dean $500, 
and he only of the University officers received anything from the 
legislature. To them, therefore, the result was that for two 
years' services President Allen received in money and accounts 
$983.37, Professor Dean received $1,000, Professor Carter $740, 
and Treasurer Woodward nothing. Professor Searle, for one 
year's services and for expenses and losses occasioned by remov- 
ing to Hanover from Maryland, received $100. He died soon 
after, leaving a family in needy circumstances, and in June, 1824,* 
Mr. Olcott applied to the legislature anew in behalf of the widow, 
a sister of the late Treasurer Woodward, but the matter was 
postponed to the autumn session and then dropped. At the 

> H. J., p. 93. » S. J., p. 160; H. J., p. 254; 1823. 

» H. J., p. I23f. « H. J., pp. 94, 103, 126, June; 69, November. 



174 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. x. 

same session a joint resolution of December i, somewhat tar- 
dily cancelled the bond given by the Trustees of the University 
for repayment of the loan of $4,000.^ A resolution for the par- 
tial payment of Professor Carter passed the Senate in June, 1824,^ 
but was lost in the House (73 ayes to 120 noes), though reported 
favorably from the committee by Mr. Durkee of Hanover. In 
1825 ' another ineffectual attempt to get payment out of the 
"Literary Fund" was the last echo of University affairs in the 
legislature. 

»H. J., pp. 86. 94- *Ibid 

* Ibid p. 108, 1824; pp. 201. 324; 1825. 




^2:<^i^'<>-'t:^-^^^^''^^^^^^^:^-^^ 



CHAPTER XL 

1820-1828. 

THE COLLEGE UNDER PRESIDENTS DANA AND TYLER. 

UPON the final determination of the great controversy there 
was equal anxiety among the friends of the university stu- 
dents as to the treatment they were to expect from the successful 
Board, and among the friends of the College abroad that the 
victory should be received with moderation. Both were grati- 
fied with the spirit displayed by the college Trustees. Announce- 
ment was made that the students of the University would be 
received on the same terms as from any other New England 
college, and most availed themselves of the privilege.^ The 
few citizens of Hanover that had adhered to the university party 
generally accepted the result with good nature. Col. Brewster, 
who had been one of President Allen's most active and influential 
supporters, now threw all his weight in favor of harmony, and 
hearty good will to the College, and in 1820, he then being high 
sheriff for Grafton County by the appointment of Governor 
Plumer, served as marshal at Commencement. The influence 
of President Allen himself was cast in the end in the same direc- 
tion, and by 1820 the feelings of all were so far soothed that on 
the invitation of Professor Shurtleff he preached in the College 
pulpit, but he took for his theme the life of Stephen as an illus- 
tration of the persecution suffered by good men. He continued 
to reside in the Wheelock mansion for about a year, until he was 
called to the presidency of Bowdoin College. The other members 
of the university Faculty lost no time in seeking a more congenial 
atmosphere. Professor Dean returned to Burlington, Vt., where 
in 1822 he resumed the professorship of mathematics in the 
University, which he had given up to come to Hanover .2 Pro- 
fessor Carter became the editor of the New York Statesman 

» Dartmouth Gazette, March lo, April 21, 1819. 

' Judge Nesmith of the class of 1820 describes Professor Dean as "short and fat with very short 
legs set near together so that his knees rubbed when he walked, and he had them padded on 
the inside with leather." He was bom in Windsor, Vt., and was graduated at Dartmouth in 
1800. He was prominent as a mathematician, the author of some small publications in mathe- 
matics and, in 1808, of a Gazetteer of Vermont. He died at Burlington, Vt., January ao, 1849, 
aged 73. 

175 



176 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI. 

in Albany, N. Y., and Professor Searle, the only one of the three 
who was married, died October 15, 1821.^ 

Mr. Hill and the Patriot found it hard to be reconciled. In 
the New Hampshire Register for 18 18 and 1819, published by 
Messrs. Hill and Moore, the roster of the University only had 
been given, no allusion whatever being made to the College. In 
the issues for 1820 and 1821 the College resumes its place, with a 
brief account of the recent legislation and decisions, and the 
following bitter comment: "By this decision it is to be under- 
stood that the people of New Hampshire as a State have no 
longer an interest in Dartmouth College." A similar spirit 
prevailed, as we shall see, to a large degree in the official circles 
of the dominant party for several years, till time and the wise 
discretion of the college fathers disarmed hostility. 

At the time of the decision at Washington (February, 181 9) 
the college Trustees were under adjournment to the 28th of 
April. Governor Plumer was notified of the meeting but de- 
clined to attend, "as a difference of opinion exists between us 
as to the question of right to hold it, and as those who claim the 
authority to adjudicate on that question have not made a final 
decision." On assembling, the first act of the Trustees was to 
accept the resignation of ex-Governor Gilman, that was ten- 
dered in the following friendly terms: 

Exeter, April 8,1819, 

Sir, — I hereby resign my office as a member of the Board of Trustees of 
Dartmouth College. 

This would have taken place some years ago if I had thought it would have 
been beneficial to the College, or was wished for by the board; but I had 
reasons to think otherwise, which are certainly known to some, and probably 
to all the members of the board. Please to present my respects to them. With 
best wishes for the prosperity of Dartmouth College, and for your health and 
happiness. I am, &c. 

J, T. Oilman. 
Rev. Francis Brown. 

President of Dartmouth College. 

Jeremiah Mason was chosen as successor to Governor Gilman, 
but declined the ap^jointment because of his inability to perform 
the duties of the office. 

Committees were next appointed to demand from "Rev. 
William Allen" the library and apparatus, and to settle with 
Mrs. Woodward, executrix of the late treasurer defendant. Mrs. 

» Professor Carter left Albany In 1822, and later, after traveling abroad published "Letters 
from Europe" in two volumes. He died of consumption at Marseilles, France, January a, 
1830. 



1820-1828.] Presidents Dana and Tyler. 177 

Woodward gladly surrendered the records and the seal, the care 
of which had caused her deep anxiety. Fearing their loss or 
injury by violence she had kept them for a long time hidden in a 
bin of grain. The ancient seal was immediately restored to 
use. In addition to a committee to address the public there 
was a hint of vengeance in the appointment of a committee to 
bring in at the next meeting charges against Professor Perkins, 
of the Medical Department. But their services were not required. 
The Doctor had volunteered in the contest with so much ardor 
that he himself recognized the propriety of a separation by a 
good-natured resignation in June, and he removed to New York 
City where he became a successful physician. 

The Commencement of 18 19 was naturally an occasion for 
great rejoicing, and there was an unusual concourse of the friends 
of the College to celebrate its triumph. There was no formal 
recognition of victory, but the presence of Mr. Webster was a 
sufficient reminder of the fact, and at a dinner of the Phi Beta 
Kappa Society at the Dartmouth Hotel after the public exercises 
of the society on Thursday, at which the address was given by 
Augustus Peabody of Boston, a congratulatory vote was passed 
for his success in the college case. At the exercises of Com- 
mencement day the valedictory, with an oration on "The Fine 
Arts as Affecting the Republican Character," was given by 
Rufus Choate. He was also to have given an address before the 
Social Friends Society, but was prevented by illness.^ The 
Trustees at their meeting passed votes of thanks to the eminent 
counsel for their services in the college cases, and asked them 
to sit for their portraits, to be painted by Steward. The por- 
traits are now in the possession of the College but it was several 
years before they were secured. 

The finances of the College were only less disorganized than 
those of the University. During the struggle it had received 
no income from its property and depended wholly upon the re- 
ceipts from students' quarter bills and from subscriptions. In 
both these things it was more fortunate than the University. 
The average number of students was about a hundred and brought 
in a nominal annual income of over $2,300, from which, however, 
there was always considerable loss in uncollectible accounts. 
Subscriptions were diligently pushed by President Brown, Pro- 
fessors Adams and Shurtleff and the Trustees, throughout New 

1 Dartmouth Gazette, August 25; Portsmouth Oracle, August 28, 1819. Choate's Valedictory 
was printed in full in The Dartmouth, September 1872, p. 315. 



178 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xi. 

Hampshire, in eastern Massachusetts, and in Vermont and New 
York. Besides the $1,000 given by Mr. Wheeler there were 
received between 181 7 and 181 9, in sums ranging from a few 
cents to $500, various subscriptions amounting to $3,885.10, 
of which about $1,450 were contributed in Boston. In addition 
to these receipts a subscription was made of $1,000, of which 
Mills Olcott subscribed $600, to pay a part of what was due the 
college officers in case the suit should be determined against the 
Trustees, but, of course, it was not called for in the event. The 
revenues of the College from all sources combined were entirely 
insufficient to meet its expenses, and like the University it was 
oppressed with a heavy load of debt, so that the Trustees nat- 
urally turned for relief to the legislature whose acts had brought 
them into such straits, and a committee, consisting of Messrs. 
Paine, Payson and Olcott, was appointed with discretionary 
authority to apply to that body for aid and indemnity. 

There was no lack of losses upon which to base a claim for 
indemnity, however improbable of allowance by the legislature 
in its existing temper. The actual expenses of litigation were 
estimated at not less than $6,000.^ In counsel fees for the suit 
in the State court there were paid Jeremiah Smith $150, Jere- 
miah Mason $100, Daniel Webster $50, and for the action at 
Washington, there were paid Webster $1,000 and Hopkinson 
$500, The loss of the use of buildings and apparatus for two 
years had occasioned great inconvenience and some pecuniary 
damage; but the shrinkage of tuition fees from djiminution of 
students, and the loss of rents of rooms and of lands were by far 
the most tangible and formidable items. The tenants of the 
lands, having tasted immunity from rents, were not easily brought 
again to payment. In Wheelock, which was then a principal 
source of income, each party having forbidden payment to the 
other, no rents at all were collected for more than four years. 
"The tenants, lawless at best and now freed from control, and 
believing themselves freed forever, did their pleasure in waste 
and dilapidation. "2 The College was driven to the courts, and 
in many cases obliged to compound for half the arrears. The 
losses in Wheelock alone were estimated at five or six thousand 
dollars, and a statement prepared for the Trustees by Professor 

^ Dartmouth College and the Slate of New Hampshire, p. i6. This pamphlet of 23 pages 
was a reprint of articles by a citizen of New Hampshire and a citizen of Vermont, published 
m the New Hampshire Statesman, and the Concord Register, between November 28, 1828; and 
April II, 1839. 

> Dartmouth College and the State of New Hampshire, o. 6. 



1820-1828.] Presidents Dana and Tyler. 179 

Adams in May, 1819, estimated the damage from other causes 
at $8,771.50. 

Since the experience with a hostile member from home, in the 
legislature of 1816, the college district in Hanover had taken 
care to be represented by a friend. This year it was Mr. Olcott. 
His colleague from the eastern section was Augustus Storrs, 
who was also a friend to the College. On the 14th of ^une Mr. 
Olcott, acting on the discretion given to the committee, laid in 
the memorial of the college Board. 

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the State of New 
Hampshire now convened at Concord: 

The Trustees of Dartmouth College respectfully represent that the Honor- 
able legislature of this State in the year i8l6 passed sundry acts relating to 
said College in consequence of which great damages and expenditures have been 
sustained. For a great part of these damages and expenditures your mem- 
orialists deem themselves to have a good and valid claim against individuals, 
but it would better accord with their wishes, and as they trust with the honor 
and dignity of the State that other provision should be made for remuneration, 
and as this subject is now before this Hon. legislature your memorialists pray 
your Hon. body that his Excellency the Governor be authorized and requested 
to appoint a committee to ascertain the amount of said damages and expendi- 
tures, who shall as soon as may be make report to him thereon and that his 
Excellency on receiving said report be authorized and requested to make an 
order on the Treasurer of the State in favor of the Treasurer of said College 
for the amount reported by said Committee. 

And as in duty bound will ever pray 

the Trustees of Dartmouth College 
by Mills Olcott their Treasurer. 

This memorial was referred to the committee that had in 
charge the similar request of the University. The House de- 
manded a single report on both petitions, but the Senate disa- 
greed to that order.^ A report, made on the 17th, was laid on the 
table, and a second committee' reported on the 30th, that they 
did not find in the memorial "any definite statement of facts 
and principles to guide them in the recommendation of any reso- 
lutions," and at their request were discharged from its further 
consideration. At the June session, 1820, the college memorial 
was referred to a new committee (Thomas Whipple, Ichabod 
Bartlett and Henry Hubbard of the House, all recognized parti- 
sans of the University), and the whole subject went over to 
November. At that session by the adoption of the report of 
the committee, which was made December 22, the prayer of the 

1 H. J., p. 148; S. J., p. 368. » H. J., p. 177. 



l8o History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xi. 

Trustees for indemnity was definitively refused.^ In the lan- 
guage of the report, "their losses and expenses having been in- 
curred in consequence of voluntary resistance to acts which were 
declared by the competent judicial authority of the State to be 
valid, the petitioners are not entitled to indemnity, nor can the 
State consent to its payment without abandoning principles on 
which its institutions are based." 

In October, 1820, nearly five thousand dollars were due to the 
College officers for unpaid salary, and not only were there no 
certain means of payment, but the current annual expenses 
exceeded the estimated income by nearly five hundred dollars. 
A careful estimate at that time of the resources and liabilities of 
the College showed that the latter exceeded the former by $2,924- 
.95. To make matters worse. President Allen and Mrs. Wheelock, 
as executors of President Wheelock, made peremptory demand 
in August, 1 8 19, for payment of the balances due the estate, 
and brought suit for notes, interest and accounts amounting to 
about $7,900,2 ^^^ fQj. $10,000 additional for the work, labor, 
care and diligence of Wheelock as President of the College. All 
these claims President Wheelock had released to the University 
in his will, but they were now revived against the College, and 
pushed with ardor. The College had no means of payment and 
the idea was at first entertained of resisting the collection in 
reliance upon the release to the University. Judge Smith was 
retained as counsel to defend the suit, but after examining the 
case he reported that he could find no valid defence, and acting 
on his advice a settlement was agreed upon at the May term of 
court, 1820, in favor of the plaintiffs, for $7,886.41 and costs of 
$17.72, in all $7,904.13 and execution was issued May 30, 1821, 
for this and interest amounting to $8,385.84.^ The obligation 
was for many years a heavy burden on the College treasury 
and was only discharged in 1832, practically from the results of 
the subscription then raised. 

But other anxieties than those for money beset the College. It 
was hardly to be expected that so strong a feeling as had existed 

«H. J., p. 373- 

' These notes were for arrears of salary, and the interest, which, when not paid, was com- 
pounded into new notes. The first, dated September 2, 1809, was for J3, 144-58, payable in 
seven annual instalments beginning in 18 13. No payments were made, and the interest 
falling into arrears was settled together with new arrears of salary by a note for |6or.S2, on 
September r, 1812. A similar note for 1433-66 was given in September, 1815, when there was 
an additional acknowledged claim of 12,027.70. In 1819, when the settlement was made, the 
various items amounted to $7,886.41. 

» Records of Court. 



1820-1828.] Presidents Dana and Tyler. l8l 

during the contest should subside without some expression of 
hostility, and the natural form for it to take was encouragement 
to rival institutions. Some of the strongest partisans of the 
University lived in Vermont, and it was perhaps in the hope of 
enlisting their support, as well as of profiting by the dissensions 
in New Hampshire, that Capt. Alden Partridge, late of the United 
States engineers, who had resigned his office and the superin- 
tendency of the Military Academy at West Point in consequence 
of disagreement with his superior officers, estabUshed at Norwich, 
Vt., his native place, an "American Scientific, Literary and 
Military Academy," intended to some extent as a rival to the 
United States establishment. Funds were subscribed and 
buildings capable of accommodating 160 students were projected 
in April 1819. The first bricks were laid on August 6 of that 
year, with appropriate ceremonies, the Academy was opened to 
students in September, 1821, and the catalogue, issued the 
ensuing November, carried the names of 117 cadets. Though 
eccentric, Capt. Partridge was an excellent manager and the 
Academy under his care was very prosperous, and undoubtedly 
worked to the disadvantage of the College. In 1834 it was 
incorporated by the Vermont legislature as "Norwich University." 
In the spring of 1866 it suffered the loss by fire of one of its build- 
ings, and becoming reduced in numbers it was removed in the 
fall to Northfield, Vt., under the name of Lewis College, but it 
subsequently resumed the name under which it was incorporated. 
There was a similar threatened rivalry in New Hampshire in 
connection with the Medical College. An eccentric anatomist, 
Dr. Alexander Ramsay,^ of Fryeburg, Me., opened a school of 
medicine on an extensive plan, in August, 1819, at Concord, 
intending "to keep it open till June, from regard for the wishes 
of the Medical Society respecting his settlement there," and 

* Dr. Alexander Rapisay was a tJMented Scotchman, born about 1760, who came to this coun- 
try from Edinburgh. During the Waj of 1812 he took refuge in the Old Country, returning 
here when it was over. He settled at Fryeburg, Me., and at North Conway, N. H., where he 
maintained at his own expense a school of anatomy, extending his lectures also to Quebec and 
Montreal and to other places in the States. He lectured at Dartmouth in 1798, and made over- 
tures for a permanent connection, which being declined occasioned some bitterness on his part. 
He had a very large and valuable collection of charts, and specimens wet and dry, by the use 
of which he obviated, according to his system, the necessity of dissections by his students. 
He was very small of stature and deformed, occasioned by his nurse falling down stairs with 
him when he was a child. He was accustomed to express regrets that it did not instead break 
the nurse's neck. He was truly possessed of great learning, and was a most skillful anatomist. 
Though eccentric to the last degree he was kind and generous in the same proportions. He 
died at Fryeburg or at Parsonsfield, Me., November 24, 1824. aged about 64. New Hampshirt 
Patriot, June is, 1819; Allen's Biographical Dictionary; " The Idler." published at North Con- 
way, July, 1 880. 



1 82 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XL 

expecting "some decisive measures for placing his school on a 
footing with other colleges," failing v»'hich "he intended to retire 
as a private teacher to Conway."^ On the 17th of the next 
June he presented to the legislature, then in session, a petition 
for aid from the State, which was referred to a committee for 
investigation. 2 Three days later the committee reported that 
Dr. Ramsay asked that the State "furnish him with suitable 
rooms, consisting of a theater or museum, where he may safely 
deposit his invaluable establishment, a public dissecting room, 
and a private dissecting room for the use of practitioners"; that 
Dr. Ramsay proposed to take personal charge for some years, 
but to introduce "some American gentleman" who should learn 
his method and becomie his successor, "by which means no young 
man can be sent ignorant from the College which he proposed to 
establish under the auspices of the legislature," and that he 
further intimated " that he would probably endow the seminary 
with his invaluable establishment and spend the residue of his 
life therein, rendering it all the aid and service in his power, 
provided that he could receive from the State a certain annuity 
for his support." Upon this proposition the committee re- 
ported that "when they consider the expenses which must 
attend the establishment and support of the proposed seminary, 
and that the medical department of Dartmouth College not 
only leaves us not entirely destitute of an institution of this kind, 
but has heretofore contributed and is still contributing much 
to the improvement and dissemination of medical science, they 
are constrained to say that it is not expedient at present, if ever, 
to adopt and prosecute the plan proposed by your petitioner." 
The report was accepted, putting an end to the project, and in 
August following Dr. Ramsay returned with his school to North 
Conway. He announced his intention of selling his "anatomical 
institution, estimated at $15,000" to the Trustees of Dartmouth 
College, but nothing ever came of it.^ 

Previous to the opening of Dr. Ramsay's school at Concord a 
movement was made looking toward the control of the Medical 
College at Hanover. A bill was privately drawn for the separate 
incorporation of that institution under the control of Doctors 
Josiah Bartlett of Stratham, Daniel Adams of Mount Vernon, 
M. Spaulding of Amherst, J. H. Pierrepont of Portsmouth, Amos 

» New Hampshire Regisler, p. io8; New Hampshire Patriot, June IS. 1819. 
* Messrs. T. Brown, A. Howe and J. Knight, H. J., pp. 192. aio. 
» New Hampshire Patriot, July 4, 1820. 



1820-1828.] Presidents Dana arid Tyler. 183 

Twitchell of Keene, Reuben D. Mussey and Cyrus Perkins of 
Hanover, and Thomas Whipple of Wentworth, and their asso- 
ciates, not to exceed twenty-five in all, with power to appoint 
professors and confer degrees. To them was to be committed 
the building erected by the State and the apparatus, and they 
were to make annual report to the State authorities. Mr. 
Thompson believed that "it was a contrivance of Perkins to 
control the establishment."^ But whatever its origin, the project 
was never brought to a vote. While it was under consideration 
an attempt at conciliation was made by the Trustees that may 
not have been without its effect. Dr. Twitchell was invited to 
the chair of Anatomy and Surgery in the College, and though 
he declined, it was after long consideration and on financial 
grounds. 

The medical building was the property of the State. In 1809, 
in response to a petition of Dr. Nathan Smith, the legislature 
appropriated $3,450 for the construction of a suitable edifice at 
Hanover for the use of the Medical Institution, on condition that 
he would convey to the State a half acre of land near the College 
and all of the anatomical museum and chemical apparatus that 
was his private property. ^ 

Dr. Smith more than met the condition by conveying not only 
his part of the museum and apparatus, estimated as worth $1,500, 
but an acre of ground on what is now Observatory Hill, on the 
southwest corner of which the building was erected. It was a 
brick structure 75 feet long, 32 feet wide, and three stories high, 
instead of two as originally planned. It was completed in 181 1, 
and naturally cost more than the appropriation. For the excess, 

» Letters of H. Bond and T. W. Thompson to President Brown. 

» H. J., pp. 64, 72. 

On the 14th of May, 1810, Dr. Smith wrote to his fiiend, Dr. George C. Shattuck, of 
Boston: " I have at length determined to leave Hanover, but at present have not concluded 
on any certain place of future residence. The political parties are so very jealous of each 
other and so near a balance that I have nothing to expect from either as some ignorant person 
might be offended at any grant or assistance voted by the Legislature to promote what they 
term the " cutting up of dead bodies." No one will choose to advocate the measure and I 
expect they will, if not deemed too unconstitutional, revoke the grant made for that purpose 
last vear, and if that cannot be effected they will enact laws which will inflict corporal punish- 
ment on any person who is concerned in digging or dissecting. If the thing should take this 
course it will afford me a good pretext for leaving the college and state, a thing which will not 
be disagreable to me. The proposal I made the State of giving land and the whole of my 
museum and apparatus was too much to give, but while engaged in promoting the school in 
this place I felt willing to go all lengths in sacrificing on the Esculapean altar, but the conduct 
of people and parties has cooled my ardor for laboring in my avocation in this place and de- 
termined me to sell my talents in physics and surgery to the highest bidder." [Letter in the 
possession of Mrs. Allen Penniman Smith of Baltimore, Md.] 



184 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI. 

$1,217.14,* Dr. Smith became personally responsible and in 
1812 he petitioned the legislature to reimburse him, but though 
the committee, to which the matter was referred, reported in his 
favor the legislature declined to assume the debt by a vote of 58 
to 96.2 

On the renewal of his petition in 1813 the legislature recognized 
the obligation, but went only so far as to vote that he should 
receive the rents of six rooms in the medical building to be applied 
in payment of the interest and the principal of the debt of the 
State. During the year Dr. Smith resigned his professorship 
and went to New Haven, and Henry Hutchinson was appointed 
the agent of the State to care for the building, receive the rents 
and to pay them to Dr. Smith .^ The rents of the rooms, however, 
were not sufficient to meet the interest and make needed repairs, 
much less to diminish the principal. In 1816 Dr. Smith again 
petitioned the legislature for the payment of the money which 
he had advanced to complete the building, of which the State 
had the title, and on the 26th of December* Gen. James Poole 
was authorized to have an accounting with Dr. Smith and Mr. 
Hutchinson for all the moneys they had received in rents, and 
after these sums, which were to go to Dr. Smith, had been de- 
ducted from the $1,109.52 originally advanced by Dr. Smith, the 
treasurer was directed to pay him the balance with interest from 
January i, 1812. The amount of $1,449.55 was paid under this 
vote in March, 1817.^ The care of the building for several years 
was in the hands of Gen. Poole, who annually turned into the 
treasury of the State the trifling sum coming from the rents.® 

At the June sessions of 1819 and 1820 committees were ap- 
pointed"^ to report on the relation of the State to the building, 
but nothing came of them. In November, 1819, a fire in the 
upper story of the building caused no great damage, but gave 
point to a petition of the resident medical professors to the legis- 
lature, then in session, that the rents of the building might be 
applied to secure it against fire and for other purposes. The 
committee to which it was referred, Messrs. Olcott, Whipple and 
Allen, reported in favor of making the petitioners the agents of 

> In 1813 the committee of the legislature reported the sum paid by Dr. Smith as li.iog.sa. 
H. J., p. 93. 
« H. J., p. 82. 

• H. J., June 33, 1814. p. 176. 

• H. J., p. 248. 

» Accounts of the State Treasurer. 

• For the nine years ending with 1826, the year of the last payment, the average sum paid the 
State was 123.47- 

» H. J.. 1819, p. 108; H. J., 1820, p. 105. 




MEDICAL BUILDIXC, i8i 



1820-1828.] Presidents Dana and Tyler. 185 

the State to rent the rooms of the building and to apply the 
rents in making it secure against fire and more convenient for the 
use of the museums and apparatus, and in case any surplus 
should remain of dividing it equally between the Medical Insti- 
tution and the New Hampshire Medical Society, "to be expended 
in the purchase of books," but the report was not agreed to, 58 
to 97. The ownership of the building by the State was of un- 
doubted value to the College, as it was an added reason for the 
unwillingness to establish a literary institution in some other 
place than Hanover, and thus separate the interests of the State. 
Governor Plumer retired at the beginning of the session of 
18 19 with a farewell message of much self-laudation, but contain- 
ing no allusion to the College or the University. His successor, 
Governor Samuel Bell, of the same political party, was a grad- 
uate of the College in 1793, and from 1808 to 181 1 a member of 
the college Board of Trust. As associate justice of the Supreme 
Court he had concurred with Judges Richardson and Woodbury 
in upholding the university acts, and had transferred to the 
University his son then a member of the junior class in College.^ 
In his message he made general allusion to the importance of 
the interests of literature which "cannot be neglected without 
endangering alike the cause of religion, morality and freedom." 
This clause was referred to a special committee^ consisting of 
Messrs. Brodhead of the Senate, and J. Pitman, D. Gale, Barrett, 
Heald and Olcott of the House. The hand of the last is readily 
suspected in the report, brought in June 30.^ 

That they perceive with much satisfaction that the interests of literature 
as stated by his Excellency partake of the common prosperity, and they trust 
that it will be no less the pleasure than it is made the duty of this and every 
future legislature to cherish interests so essential to the preservation of a free 
government. Your committee are not aware of any particular legislative 
provision which is required for the encouragement of literature, and not em- 
braced in the subjects already committed to other committees, and which have 
been or may be presented for the consideration of the legislature. From the 
present dispassionate state of the public mind, it may reasonably be expected 
that those exertions will be crowned with abundant success, which will promote 
useful knowledge and sound learning in the community. 

On June 19, however, a committee was appointed to consider 
the expediency of establishing a public literary institution in this 

« Letter of President Brown, Shirley, p. 291, explained by G. W. Nesmith. 
• H. J., p. 135; S. J., p. 120. 
•H. J., p. 336. 



1 86 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XL 

State, and report suitable measures for that purpose.^ By their 
recommendation on July 2, a joint resolution was passed referring 
the subject to a special committee therein named, of which Presi- 
dent Allen was chairman, ^ "to consider the expediency and prac- 
ticability of establishing a public literary institution in this 
State; in what place it would be proper to locate the same; to 
ascertain what funds can be obtained for that purpose; to digest 
a plan for establishing and organizing said institution, and to 
report thereon to the legislature at their next session." 

Nothing came of this action, however, as President Allen, much 
to his honor, declined to have anything to do with the matter, 
on the ground that one college was enough for the State, though 
he suggested the establishment of a Board of Overseers with the 
consent of the Trustees, a suggestion which, as we shall see, was 
also in the mind of the Board. 

Hanover, March 3, 1820, 
Wm. Pickering Esq.: 

Dear Sir, — I understand, though I have received no official notice of the 
appointment, that I am Chairman of a committee, of which you are a member, 
on the subject of a public literary institution for New Hampshire. As Chair- 
man you may expect some communication from me on the subject of our com- 
mission; but as I am preparing to remove from the State, and as it may not 
be in my power to meet with the committee, I think it proper and necessary 
that my duties should devolve on Judge Vose, whose name stands next to 
mine ©n the list of the committee. 

It has occurred to me that if a board of overseers could be constituted for 
D. College, consisting either of some of the principal officers of government, 
or of gentlemen chosen by the legislature, the result would be more favorable 
to the interests of literature and science than if a new college should be created. 
And I should hope the Trustees would now feel the importance of legislative 
patronage, and would be willing that the State should acquire this control 
over the seminary which has received repeated grants from the legislature, 
and which must need other grants. 

I merely suggest this project. Perhaps it will occur to the committee, or 
they may devise a better one. 

I am Dear Sir, very respectfully, 

Your friend and servant, 

Wm. Allen. 



' The committee consisted of Messrs. Young and Brodhead of the Senate and from the House, 
Messrs. Pitman, Toppan, Pierce, N. Taylor, W. Whitman. T. Brown, Dan Hough, Kneeland, 
Whipple and Webster, H. J., p. 200; S. J., p. I73- 

2 The committee consisted of Rev. William Allen, Hanover, Roger Vose, WalpoU, George B. 
Upham, Claremont, Rev. Nathan Packer, Portsmoulh, Stephen Moody, Gilmanton, William Pick- 
ering, Concord, Joshua Darling, Henniker, Richard H. Ayer, Dunbarton, Thomas Whipple, 
Wentworlh, and John P. Hale, Rochester. Five of these had been members of one or the other 
of the University Boards. H. J., p. 362. 



1820-1828.] Presidents Dana and Tyler. 187 

The next year, June, 1820, the message of Governor Bell 
alluded rather more pointedly to the duty of "a liberal encourage- 
ment of the higher seminaries of education"; adding that "the 
law should afford them ample support and adequate security 
against the intrusion of unqualified persons into the important 
trust of instructing youth." The subject was referred to a 
committee of which Isaac Hill was chairman, which reported 
June 17:^ 

That after making all due enquiries they are unable to suggest any distinct 
proposition on which it would be expedient to act the present session. They 
had anticipated from a committee appointed at the last session a communica- 
tion on the practicability and expediency of establishing a public literary Insti- 
tution in this State which should deserve the countenance and patronage of the 
Legislature — which should be worthy of the guardian care of a government 
that has always been liberal in proportion to its means. That such an insti- 
tution will sooner or later go into operation under the high auspices of the 
people of New Hampshire cannot be doubted. The embarrassment and want 
of funds resulting from the peculiar times will not admit the commencement 
of such an Institution at the present period; yet prudent and enlightened 
legislators ought not to lose sight of the object. 

At the session of the legislature in June, 1821, two measures 
indicated the still unsettled state of opinion in connection with 
the College. In his message Governor Bell recommended con- 
ferring upon the Superior Court a chancery jurisdiction with 
special reference to the "regulation and control of the trustees 
of funds devoted to religious, literary and charitable purposes," 
and in accordance with his suggestion a bill to that end was passed 
June 21.^ 

On June 29 an act was passed for the establishment of a "Lit- 
erary Fund," to be derived from a stamp tax imposed on bank 
circulation, and devoted and pledged to the future endowment 
and support of a college for instruction in the higher branches 
of science and literature in the State; with a proviso that it should 
never be applied to the benefit of any institution which was 
not under the direction and control of the State. The fund was 
entrusted to the governor, secretary and treasurer to manage 
and invest the annual receipts which were to accumulate for 
that object alone. 

Before this was done, Mr. Olcott, who again sat in the House 
for Hanover, perceiving the drift of matters there, in concurrence 

« S. J., p. 134. > H. J., p. 31. Pamphlet Laws. p. 379- 



l88 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI. 

with some other friends of the College, formed a plan to turn the 
would-be hostile movement to the advantage of the College in 
the manner formerly proposed to the legislature in 1816 by Messrs. 
Thompson, McFarland and Paine, and later suggested by Presi- 
dent Allen, in his letter to Mr. Pickering, the establishment of a 
Board of Overseers. Before broaching it, however, he took the 
precaution to consult Mr, Webster. 

Some of the friends of old D. College who are here have thought that her real 
interest might be subserved by some legislative arrangements at this tim.e, 
whereby not only State patronage, but State funds, should be obtained. They 
have thought of a board of overseers, say of 20, — to include the president 
of the Senate, the speaker of the House, the others to be appointed by the 
Governor & Council, — to have a vote upon the appointment, &c., of the trus- 
tees, & afterwards fill up their own vacancies themselves, & to be somewhat on 
the footing of Cambridge. A tax is expected to be raised for the State treas- 
ury this session from banks, & from this fund have say $5,000 annually for 
ten years appropriated for D. C. There is no real college man in the Legis., 
except Bro. Ez. & my humble self, & we cannot have the benefit of consulting 
with trustees. 

I therefore take the liberty to ask your advice as to the policy of attempting 
this or any thing of the kind, more especially of the best way to bring Mason's 
giant abilities & influence into hearty & strenuous exercise. He can do here 
(as he can almost everywhere) what he chooses to set himself about in earnest. 
He has been consulted, & I believe is sincerely well disposed; but unless he is 
the prime mover, so that it acquires its momentum from him in the first in- 
stance, I should hardly expect success in effecting anything. Some influential 
republicans profess to be pleas'd with a reconciliation, though it has only been 
whispered to a few. 

Will you take the trouble to give me your views of what is advisable on this 
subject as early as may be. You may rely on its being strictly confidential, if 
you wish it. 

Mr. Webster's reply was conclusive in its opposition to the 
proposition : 

I wish I had more hope of good than I have to the College from the Legis- 
lature. Of course you know best the feeling on such subjects at present 
existing, but for myself I do not believe the College could get a dollar from the 
Genl. Court. They would be very likely to accept the proposition to appoint 
overseers, but as to the money part of the bargain I do not think they would 
give a cent. Besides, I do not think the present a favorable moment to create 
a board of overseers by executive appointment, with power afterwards of 
filling their own vacancies. It is easy to see what sort of men would be first 
appointed, & what sort of men they would perpetuate. All would be political 
& nothing literary. My own impression is, that if the College must die, it is 



i82o-i8«8.] Presidents Dana and Tyler. 189 

better that it should die a natural death. A board of overseers, such as would 
probably be appointed, would negative every important nomination of the 
trustees. Of this I have no sort of doubt. There are reasons not applicable 
to D. College, & to such a board as you would create, which alone prevented 
elsewhere the utmost embarrassment. 

I have given my opinion, as you request, & beg you to treat it as entirely 
confidential. I have no room to state reasons'at large. At any rate, I should 
not think it expedient to move in the matter without much circumspection, & 
a previously arranged plan, which should have reed, the approbation of the 
trustees. Is there any reliance to be placed in the quarter from which the 
first appointments would proceed? My own judgment & opinion do not 
answer that question favorably. 

In the College itself the close of the controversy was the signal 
of change. Even before it was ended, and in the darkest hour, 
fatal illness laid hold of President Brown. His constitution, 
delicate at best, was impaired by his unremitted labors and anx- 
ieties, and soon after Commencement in 18 18 he began to show 
signs of pulmonary disease. A slight hoarseness was followed 
by hemorrhages from the lungs, and he was obliged to give up 
public speaking. He preached his last sermon at Thetford, 
October 6, 18 18, and, recognizing his danger, he strove to meet 
it by rest and change. A journey to western New York in the 
autumn gave no relief, and a second tour was undertaken in 
October of the next year (1819) to the South. As he was then 
too weak to go alone his wife accompanied him, driving a horse 
and chaise, and in this manner they made the journey to Rich- 
mond, Va., and Salisbury, N. C. The means for the journey 
were provided by a gift of $900 made to President Brown by seven 
or eight gentlemen at the Commencement in August. They 
were accompanied on horseback by David L. Nichols, a graduate 
of the class of 1816, himself out of health, who was obhged to 
leave them at Richmond on the return, and was replaced by a 
young colored boy, named Mitchell, who came home with them 
and remained an inmate of the family after Dr. Brown's death. 
It was, indeed, a forlorn hope and few expected the President's 
return. Dr. Nathan Smith, being absent from home when he 
passed through New Haven, did not see him, but wrote to 
Mr. Olcott that from the reports brought to him he was "appre- 
hensive that there must have been some insanity on the part of 
his friends in Hanover or they would not have suffered him to 



190 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. XL 

set out on such a forlorn hope. Those who saw the most of him 
here do not think that he will reach South Carolina." 

They returned, nevertheless, safely to Hanover in June fol- 
lowing, but without benefit to President Brown's health. As he 
approached Hanover the news of his coming spread among the 
students and they wished to go out to escort him home, but 
though he was affected to tears he declined the honor, saying 
that he had need of pall-bearers rather than a triumplial proces- 
sion, and coming to his home he prepared to die. During his 
last days it was his purpose to bring each class to his bedside 
that he might bid them a personal farewell, but his strength 
failed when he had met but two of them. His death, which had 
been hourly expected, occurred at one o'clocjc in the afternoon of 
July 27, 1820, a day of unusual summer beauty and stillness, 
and was announced to the sorrowing village by the tolling of the 
bell. His funeral was attended four days later in the church, 
when the Handel Society sang the anthem that was composed 
for the funeral of the Princess Charlotte. 

In person President Brown was unusually dignified and com- 
manding, yet natural and graceful in carriage. His large, full 
hazel eye, and genial, beaming face invited confidence, but his 
expression was so penetrating and sagacious as to forbid decep- 
tion, and repel familiarity. When the occasion required he could 
be terribly severe, but this severity had nothing of personal anger 
in it. To govern young men was natural and easy to him. He 
rarely used the language of command. A wish, or request 
expressed in the mildest form was with the students equivalent 
to a command, and was promptly regarded. He was both hon- 
ored and loved. The discipline of the College was never more 
perfect than during the years when the laws of the College were 
stript of authority, when the officers were under the ban of the 
legislature and when each student knew that his course might 
end without academic honors. The main influence in holding 
the College together was the personality of the President. The 
sense of duty, which led him to decline the presidency of Hamil- 
ton College, was imposed upon the students and made them re- 
sponsive to his will. 

His talent for teaching was not inferior to his talent for govern- 
ing. From his accession until Commencement, 1819, except 
during his temporary absences, he gave the entire instruction to 
the senior class, and for the last three years he heard each day 
one recitation of the junior or sophomore class. He made it a 



1820-1828.] Presidents Dana and Tyler. 191 

point to be himself thoroughly prepared. From the nature of 
the case at his age, with his occupations and many cares Presi- 
dent Brown was not a deeply learned man, but he had scholarly 
tastes, a vigorous and cultivated mind, with power of insight, 
analysis and generalization, so that if a topic was started with 
which he was not familiar he would by sagacious questions draw 
out what the student knew of it, and then be able to discuss it in 
a way to satisfy the student, who furnished the material, that 
he had understood the matter better than did the student himself. 
He had at the same time executive talent, and legal acuteness of 
high order. He conducted the intricate and delicate interests 
of the College through the whole crisis with admirable tact, ability 
and discretion, and drew the high praise from the eminent counsel 
of the College, that none of them were better versed in the law 
of the case than he. Mr. Mason often declared that the President 
understood the case thoroughly and could have argued it with 
great ability.^ 

The death of President Brown in the prime of his life, at the 
age of thirty-six, was a misfortune to the College, made espe- 
cially disastrous by the condition of uncertainty that followed. 
If it had occurred before the final appeal at Washington it would 
probably have caused the abandonment of the college case; 
as it was, though not fatal in its effect upon the College, it greatly 
added to the difficulties of the situation. After so long a struggle, 
and under the general and local conditions it was inevitable that 
there should be many changes, in the Board, which had held 
together for so long, in the Faculty, which needed reinforcement, 
and in the general ordering of the College. These changes had 
now to be made not by the President, who had successfully guided 
the College during the storm, but, as it proved, in the interval 
between administrations and during an administration which 
was rendered ineflfective by sickness. The Trustees, however, 
set themselves at once to the task of reconstruction. 

' Francis Brown, the son of Benjamin and Prudence Kelly Brown, was bom in Chester, N. H., 
January ii, 1784. His father, a country merchant, was unable to meet the expenses of a college 
education for his son, but he married for his second wife (his first having died when the son was 
ten years old), Mary Lunt, who cared for the boy as if he were her own child and out of her 
private fortune provided for his education. From Atkinson Academy he entered the freshman 
class at Dartmouth in the spring of 1802, and was graduated in 1805. Passing the year after 
graduation as a private tutor in the family of Judge Paine in Williamstown, Vt., he returned to 
Hanover as a tutor in the College, and remained there three years with great acceptance, study- 
ing divinity In connection with his teaching, so that in 1809 he was ordained to the ministry 
and on January 11, 1810, was settled as pastor at North Yarmouth, Me., where he remained till 
his election to the presidency of the College. Letter of Hon. John Aiken, Proceedings of Alumni» 
i8ss. p. 62; Sketch of President Brown, by Rev. Henry Wood, 1834. 



192 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI. 

At the ensuing Commencement, August 22, Hon. Thomas W. 
Thompson presided and conferred the degrees. At their annual 
meeting the Trustees resumed formal control of their property, 
which had been alienated in connection with the suits in the Cir- 
cuit Court, by ordering their Treasurer to cancel and return to 
Job Lyman, Charles Marsh and Horace Hatch the notes which 
they had given for the purchase of various bits of college prop- 
erty, on the release of their several claims. With the purpose of 
putting the finances into better shape and of diminishing the great 
arrearage and consequent loss in the payment of students' bills, 
they determined that thereafter any student who was more than 
one year in arrears in the payment of his quarter bills should be 
dismissed from college, and that any candidate for a degree who 
had not paid all his college bills by the Monday before Com- 
mencement day should not receive his degree. Proceeding to the 
work of reorganization they first gave attention to the Medical 
Faculty, to which they were urged by the movements at Concord 
already referred to. After the final departure of Dr. Nathan 
Smith in 1816 there were but two instructors in medicine, Pro- 
fessors Mussey and Perkins, whose allegiance was divided between 
the College and the University. They had occasional assistance 
of a temporary kind, but the resignation of Dr. Perkins left Dr. 
Mussey as the sole officer. The Trustees now determining to 
render the Faculty definite and effective gave it a formal organi- 
zation of five members: the President, a Professor of Surgery, 
Obstetrics and Medical Jurisprudence, one of Theory and Prac- 
tise of Physic, Materia Media and Botany, one of Chemistry, 
Mineralogy and the Application of Science to the Arts, and a 
fourth of Anatomy and Physiology. Dr. Mussey was trans- 
ferred at his own request from the chair of the Theory and 
Practise of Physic to that of Surgery and Obstetrics ; Dr. Daniel 
Oliver,^ a graduate of Harvard, was elected professor of the 

' Daniel Oliver, third son of Rev. Thomas Fitch Oliver, a graduate of Harvard in I77S, and 
an Episcopal rector, was bom at Marblehead, Mass., September 9, 1787. After graduating 
from Harvard in 1806 he studied law with Joseph Story, his brother-in-law, but soon left it for 
the study of medicine under his uncle. Dr. B. Lynde Oliver of Salem. Attending medical lec- 
tures at the University of Pennsylvania in 1809 he took his degree in the spring of 1810, and in 
July of 1811 he formed a partnership with Dr. R. D. Mussey. In 1815 he lectured here on 
chemistry. In 1819 he gained much reputation by engaging with Hon. John Pickering in the 
preparation of a Greek lexicon, which became a standard text book. After his appointment 
he removed to Hanover in 182 1. In addition to his duties in the medical Faculty he was pro- 
fessor of intellectual philosophy from 1823 to 1837. in the spring of which year he resigned and 
removed to Cambridge, Mass., though he lectured here that year. In 1840 he joined Dr. Mus- 
sey in a course of lectures at Cincinnati on materia medica, but, his health giving way, he re- 
turned to Cambridge, where he died June i, 1842, aged 55. He was handsome, dignified, 
grave, going but little into society, though very genial in his own home; he practised but little 
in Hanover, only in emergencies in Dr. Mussey's absence. See eulogy on him by C. B. Haddock. 



1820-1828.] Presidents Dana and Tyler. 193 

theory and practise of physic, Dr. James F. Dana/ also a gradu- 
ate of Harvard, was elected professor of chemistry, etc., and Dr. 
Usher Parsons^ of the United States Navy, was elected professor 
of anatomy and physiology on the condition, proposed by him- 
self, that he furnish $1,000 with which to begin a museum of 
human and comparative anatomy, and that if after a trial of a 
year, he should prove unsatisfactory he should retire and leave 

' James Freeman Dana, the oldest son of Luther and Lucy (Giddings) Dana, was born at Am- 
herst, N. H., September 23, 1793. Preparing for college at Phillips Exeter Academy he was 
graduated from Harvard in 1813, and after graduation studied medicine with Dr. John Gorham, 
professor of chemijtry at Harvard, but probably gave especial attention to chemistrj*. as he I3 
said to have become a good practical chemist. In 1815 he was sent by Harvard to London to 
buy chemical apparatus, and while there pursued his studies with Frederick Aecum, operative 
assistant to Sir Humphry Davy and dealer in apparatus. On his return he became assistant 
to the professor of chemistrj', and was graduated in medicine in 1817. He lectured on chem- 
istry at Dartmouth from 1817 to 1820, and on his appointment as professor, removed to Han- 
over in 1821, where he remained till 1826, when he was appointed professor of chemistry in the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. While at Hanover he was deeply inter- 
ested in electro-magnetism and prepared apparatus to exhibit it. After settling in New York 
he became acquainted with S. F. B. Morse and explained to him the principles of the electro- 
magnet, and pubhcly demonstrated the facts relating to it. (See Life of Morse, pp. i62f.) In 
the winter follovving liis going to New York he was greatly afflicted by the loss of a favorite 
daughter, and being attacked by erysipelas he died April is, 1827. He was a very superior 
lecturer, and took the Boylston prize in 1815 and 1816. He had a fine personal appearance, 
attractive manners, and enjoyed the attachment of all who knew him. With a social, genial 
and generous nature he was laborious, patient and conscientious as a physician. Dr. Dixi 
Crosby was his pupil and always spoke of him with great admiration. He married January 
i8i8, Marilda, third daughter of Samuel Webber, D.D., President of Harvard College, who 
long survived him. 

2 Usher Parsons, the youngest of nine children of William and Abigail Frost (Blunt) Parsons, 
was born at Alfred, Me., August 18, 1788. He had little early education and till he was twenty- 
one he was a clerk in several stores. He then determined to study medicine, and by diligent 
attention secured a knowledge of Greek and of Latin, and studying with various physicians, was 
admitted to the practice of medicine by the Massachusetts Medical Society in February, 1812. 
After some delay he secured, through the aid of Dr. Josiah Bartlett, M.C., the position of sur- 
geon's mate in the navy. Ordered to New York to join the corvette John Adams, he volunteered 
for service on Lake Erie. That winter he was in charge of the hospital at Black Rock, near 
Buffalo, and during the next summer, owing to the sickness of others, he was the only physician 
in Perry's fleet. During the battle and after the victory, September 10, he had charge of the 
wounded on the Lawrence, and spent the whole day of the nth operating on them. On the 
1 2th he did the same for the wounded on the other vessels, having about 200 patients under 
his care. He had charge of the hospital at Erie, Pa., for nine months, and received a silver 
medal from Congress, and a share of the prize money, with which he paid his debts. He became 
surgeon, April 15, 1814, and in December was transferred to the Java at the special request of 
Perry, who was in command. He sailed for the Mediterranean, but, returning in 1817, he at- 
tended medical lectures at the Harvard Medical School where he received the degree of M.D. in 
March, 1818. In the following July he sailed for Russia and the Mediterranean on the Guerriere, 
but, leaving the ship at Gibraltar, he made a tour of Europe and returned to America in 1820, 
in which year he received the appointment at Dartmouth. He gave but one course of lectures, 
in 182 1. The next year he was elected professor of anatomy and surgery at Brown University. 
The connection with the University lasted four years, but he remained in Providence forty-six 
years, till his death, December 19, 1868. He married Mary Jackson Holmes, a sister of Oliver 
Wendell Holmes, September 23, 1822. He had an active mind, was a great traveler, interested 
In seeing the work of his profession in many places, but he was fond of controversy, and "could 
handle the caustic pen as well as the scalpel or saw." Life of Usher Parsons by his son, Charles 
W. Parsons, 1870. 
13 



194 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI. 

his specimens with the College at a price agreed upon. To help 
in bringing the institution into closer connection with the pro- 
fession throughout the State the Board voted to accept the prop- 
osition of the New Hampshire Medical Society that it should 
send two delegates to attend, and take part in, the examination 
of candidates for medical degrees, and as representatives of the 
Society to sign the diplomas, provided such arrangement should 
be without expense to the Board. Nearly sixty years later in 
1878 a similar relation was established with the Vermont Medical 
Society and since that time the diplomas issued by the Medical 
College have been signed by the delegates of both societies. The 
Latin form of the diploma now in use was adopted in 1821. 

The most serious work of the Board was the election of a suc- 
cessor to President Brown, but fortunately their course seemed 
plain, as the general feeling pointed to the Rev. Dr. Daniel Dana 
of Newburyport, Mass., a graduate of 1788, and a firm and active 
friend of the College during its troubles. Dr. Dana's qualifica- 
tions for the position were so marked that not only had President 
Brown expressed the hope that he might be his successor, but 
President Appleton of Bowdoin, who died in 18 19, had wished 
that he might be chosen to the presidency of Bowdoin. The 
Trustees, heartily acquiescing in the general view, unanimously 
elected him to the position, attaching to it the salary of $1,000 
a year, and the use for one year at a rental of $200 of the house 
which they had bought of Dr. Perkins for $3,600. Messrs. 
Church and Putnam were appointed a committee to notifiy Dr. 
Dana of his election. 

The ties of a long and successful pastorate were not easily 
broken, and in addition to doubts about his fitness for the new 
position Dr. Dana hesitated to leave his church. But after much 
discussion both he and the church decided to follow the judg- 
ment of the Presbytery that was asked to give advice in the 
matter. The Presbytery met at Bradford, Mass., September 26, 
1820, the committee of the Trustees being present to urge the 
claim of the College, and after careful consideration advised 
almost unanimously that the invitation be accepted. Their 
advice was conclusive, and on the 3d of October Dr. Dana wrote 
accepting the presidency of the College and saying that he would 
be in Hanover on the fourth Wednesday of the month to be inau- 
gurated. The ceremony took place at the appointed time, the 
exercises being a prayer by Mr. Church, music, reading of the 
vote of election and the letter of acceptance, declaration that 



1820-1828.] Presidents Dana and Tyler. 195 

Dr. Dana was now President, his inaugural address, music, and 
a concluding prayer by the President.^ 

At the meeting of the Trustees at the time of the inauguration 
plans were laid for the new administration. The first need of 
funds was to be met by a general appeal for benefactions through 
a committee of which the President was chairman. The internal 
condition of the College, which during the struggle had naturally 
become somewhat disorganized, with special reference to the 
duties of each college ofhcer and to the conduct of his ofiEice, was 
referred to a committee to report the next year. But the high 
hopes which were formed were doomed to disappointment. 
Even before he left his pastorate Dr. Dana's health had been 
seriously impaired, and the mental and physical strain incident 
to a change and to assuming new responsibilities proved too 
great. Immediately after his inauguration he returned to New- 
buryport to settle his affairs there and to bring his family to 
Hanover, but he had no sooner established himself in his new 
home than he suffered a nervous breakdown, resulting in phys- 
ical debility and depression of spirits, which incapacitated him 
for work. On the advice of his physician he tried the experiment 
of a journey. A slight benefit was followed by a relapse, and a 
second journey resulting in no improvement, he determined, 
against much urging, to resign. 

In his letter of resignation, after referring to his "deep and 
habitual dejection of spirit," which he could not explain or throw 
off, he wrote : " The College needs a President, not only of powerful 
talents, but of strong nerves and vigorous health; one who can 
enterprise much and accomplish much ; one whom labors cannot 
easily exhaust nor difficulties embarrass, nor trials depress. In 
reference to all these particulars I have a painful consciousness, I 
will not say of deficiency, but of contrast.'^ The Trustees at their 
meeting in July, called to consider his resignation, urged him to 
delay, but he wished it regarded as "absolute and final." A third 
journey extended as far as Ohio in a visit to a brother brought so 
much improvement that the Trustees unanimously requested 
him to recall his decision, but, though gratefully acknowledging 
their kindness, he would not consent and immediately withdrew 
from the College. His term of office was so short and so broken 
that it had little effect upon the College, though on his coming 
he made a very favorable impression and it can hardly be doubted 
that if his health had continued his sensitive nature and efficiency 

> College files. 



196 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI. 

of action, which gave him success in his pastorates, would have 
had similar results in the College.^ 

It was found impossible to carry into effect the vote of the year 
before in regard to the payment of college bills. The confusion 
resulting from the disturbed condition of the past few years was 
so great and had made such accumulation of arrears, and the 
poverty of the students was so pressing that the enforcement of 
the action was delayed for one year and then for another, and 
notes for college bills were taken from students at graduation as 
before. An attempt was made to diminish the expenses 
of graduation by a recommendation to the graduating class and 
to the Literary Societies not to incur much expense for music 
Commencement. The poverty of the students, however, did 
not keep them from philanthropic interests, for in that year they 
rented a field to cultivate, with the intention of devoting all the 
avails of the venture to the cause of missions. ^ William Goodell 
and Daniel Temple, afterward famous in the missionary work in 
Turkey, who were graduated in 181 7, had taken graduate work 
in medicine in preparation for missionary labor and had perhaps 
helped to waken a general interest in the cause throughout the 
College. The professors in the medical college offered free at- 
tendance upon their lectures to those intending to be missionaries,^ 
and the impulse toward the service of the church was so strong 
that out of the 157 graduates between 18 16 and 1820, inclusive, 
fifty-seven became ministers and four became missionaries. 

In the spring of 1821 an important move was made for the 
welfare of the village in the formation of the Hanover Aqueduct 
Association. A charter for a company under that name, with a 
capital of $5,000, was secured and the meeting for organization 
under it was held at Curtis's Hotel February 26, 1821* Mr. Gil- 
bert, Mr. Olcott, Mr. Brewster and Professor Adams being prom- 
inent in the movement. The original water supply of the village 

1 Daniel Dana, the son of Rev. Joseph and Mary (Staniford) Dana was born in Ipswich, Mass., 
July 24, 1771. After graduating from College he taught three years in Phillips Exeter Academy 
and after studying divinity with his father became the pastor of the First Presbyterian church 
of Newbury port, Mass., in November, i794. where he remained till he came to Hanover. After 
resigning the presidency of Dartmouth his health improved and, returning to the ministry, he 
was settled over the Second Presbyterian church at Londonderry, N. H., Januarj' i6, 1822. 
where he remained until May, 1826. He then returned to Newburyport as pastor of the Second 
Presbyterian church, and held that relation till the infirmities of age led him to resign in Novem- 
ber, 1845. He lived in that city till his death, August 26, 1859. He was a trustee of Andover 
Theological Seminary over fifty years, from its beginning in 1804 to his resignation August 2, 
18S6. 

^Dartmouth Herald, May 9, 1821. 

^Dartmouth Herald, November 8, 1821. 
4 Dartmouth Herald, February 7, 182 1. 



1820-1828.] Presidents Dana and Tyler. 197 

had been wells and cisterns, but in long dry times these proved 
insufficient and more than once water had to be hauled from Mink 
Brook. In 1805 several persons united to bring water in wooden 
logs from a spring near the top of the hill east of the village and 
south of the present road, but the supply was inadequate and 
variable, and the logs decayed, so that it was determined to find 
a larger and more permanent supply. A half acre of ground was 
bought at the foot of the hill on the south side of Mink Brook in 
the Greensborough district about two miles east of the village, 
and the water, which oozed from the ground and which proved to 
be of unusual purity, was gathered in a well and furnished an 
abundant supply for many years. An inch and a half lead pipe 
was laid as a main to the village where the water was distributed 
through smaller laterals. But as the village grew the supply, 
in times of drought, was insufficient even for domestic purposes, 
and in 1880 more land was bought, the original lot having been 
previously enlarged, additional wells were sunk, and a two inch 
pipe replaced the first one. The character of the water is such 
that it forms an insoluble coating in the pipe, so that when the 
old pipe was removed, after being in use for sixty years, it was 
found, except for external corrosion, to be as perfect as when it 
was laid. Even after its enlargement the acqueduct was unable 
to meet the general wants of the village and a much more abun- 
dant supply was brought in from another source in 1893, though 
the acqueduct still is used for domestic purposes. 

When it became evident that President Dana's resignation 
was final the question of a successor was considered informally 
and the Rev. Gardner Spring of New^ York City was fixed upon 
for the vacant chair. A committee of the Board sent to confer 
with him received, as they understood, such assurance of his 
willingness to accept that without hesitation he was elected at 
the meeting in July, and the 21st of August set for his inaugura- 
tion. But at the annual meeting in August the Trustees were 
surprised by an unexpected refusal. Mr. Thompson being absent 
on account of his infirmities, Judge Paine acted as President of 
the Board, but Professor Adams presided at Commencement 
and conferred the degrees. He had, in fact, performed most of 
the duties of President since the death of President Brown, in 
accordance with a vote passed in August, 1820, that in the absence 
or disability of the President the senior professor should perform 
his public duties, a practice which continued till 1892. In the 
conduct of the exercises of the chapel, however, according to a 



198 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap, XI. 

vote of August 21, 1 82 1, the professors were to take charge in 
rotation one week at a time, except that the tutors were to officiate 
once a week in rotation, and the Professor of Theology was "to 
perform in the Chapel every Saturday evening." This custom 
passed away as appointments to the Faculty came to include those 
without ministerial training, and was definitely abandoned in 
1892. 

The refusal of Mr. Spring, especially in the way it came, left 
matters in a bad shape, and great difficulties were experienced 
in finding a suitable successor to the presidency. No election 
was made at the annual meeting, or at an adjourned meeting in 
October. The students began to be impatient and the friends 
of the College uneasy. The thoughts of some turned toward 
Chancellor Kent, notwithstanding his age, and Dr. Daniel Oliver 
was mentioned, but eventually the choice lay between the Rev. 
Ebenezer Burgess of Dedham, Mass., and the Rev. Bennet Tyler, 
pastor of a church in South Britain, a parish of Southbury, Conn. 
The latter was strongly recommended by Dr. Porter of Andover 
and by others, and was chosen at an adjourned meeting of the 
Trustees, February 13, 1822. Mr. Tyler had been settled at 
South Britain in 1808 and, while unusually successful in building 
up his church, had, after the fashion of the day, prepared young 
men for college, and given to others instruction in divinity. 

Judge Paine was appointed to convey the invitation to Mr. 
Tyler, and President Moore of Amherst College, formerly pro- 
fessor in Dartmouth, was requested to represent the College 
before the Consociation. Mr. Tyler was greatly surprised at 
the invitation and hesitated to accept it, but after receiving 
the advice of his friends and the Consociation he wrote as fol- 
lows to Mr. Olcott: 

Southbury, March 7th, 1822. 

Dear Sir, — Yours of the 14th. ult. announcing my election to the Presi- 
dency of Dartmouth College was received on the 19th, and followed by the 
arrival of Judge Paine with the official notice on the 21st. The subject has 
been taken into serious and deliberate consideration and referred to the proper 
board for decision. The Consociation convened yesterday and decided that 
it was my duty to accept of the appointment, and accordingly dissolved the 
connexion between me and the church and people in this place. I take this 
opportunity to notify you and through you the Trustees of the College that I 
accept of the appointment, and that I intend by the leave of Providence to 
be at Hanover with a view to be inaugurated at the time proposed. 
With much affection, 
I am yours, &c. 

Bennet Tyler. 






/^ 



^-Ci^, 



''^i^^^-^ 



1820-1828.] Presidents Dana and Tyler. 199 

The inauguration took place on the 27th of March and drew 
together a large number of the friends of the College. The 
exercises consisted of a prayer by Rev. Mr. Church, the induction 
into office of the new President by Judge Paine, an address by 
the President, which was characterized as "sound, luminous and 
elegant," and music by the Handel Society.^ In the evening 
the public buildings and dwelling houses were brilliantly illumi- 
nated. Mr. Tyler was not able to begin work at once, but after 
returning to Connecticut for his family took up the duties of his 
office in the following June. He found the College in the full 
movement of change. In the uncertainty of the succession the 
Trustees, at their meeting in October, 1821, had asked the pro- 
fessors to co-operate with a committee of their own number, 
Messrs. Marsh, Payson and Paine, in preparing a revised code 
of laws for the College. Their report, made and adopted at the 
meeting in the following February, prescribed with great minute- 
ness the direction of college life. 

The hours of study preceded by one recitation, prayers and 
breakfast, began at eight o'clock in summer, and at other seasons 
at nine, and continued till eleven. Beginning again at two they 
held till evening prayers except Saturday afternoon. Morning 
prayers, consisting of invocation, reading from the Bible, and 
prayer came daily at five o'clock, or, there being no provision 
for artificial light in either chapel or recitation rooms, as early 
as the President could well see to read in the Bible. These were 
immediately followed by the first recitation except on Monday. 
The second recitation came daily at eleven in the forenoon, and 
the half hour between recitation and dinner was usually taken 
for football on the common. At three or four in the afternoon 
there was a recitation or a rhetorical exercise except on Saturday. 
Each member of a class had a declamation and a composition 
every four weeks and on Wednesday the four classes declaimed 
in turn before the whole College in the chapel. Evening prayers 
closed at six or as late as the light permitted and were the same 
as in the morning, except that a hymn was sung by the Handel 
Society, and on Tuesday were followed by a dissertation by one 
of the seniors.* 

On Sunday the students were required to attend morning and 
evening prayers in the chapel and two services in the college 
church. Students were required to be in their rooms during 

> New Hampshire Patriot, April r, 1822. 

* Memorial of College Life: Class of 1827, by A. Crosby, 1870: pp. 8, 9. 



200 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI. 

study hours and after nine p. m. and "to abstain from all loud 
conversation, singing, playing on musical instruments, and from 
all other noise which may tend to interrupt, " and on the Sabbath 
every student was "to remain in his chamber unless the duties 
of public worship or acts of necessity or mercy" called him 
elsewhere, and no one was to attend to any secular business or 
diversion, or unnecessarily walk in the fields or streets. Keeping 
or playing with cards or dice was punishable with a fine of $5, 
and persistence in either by rustication, and under similar penal- 
ties students were forbidden to be present at a "treat" or enter- 
tainment in which spirituous or fermented liquors were used. 
The Faculty was "particularly and earnestly recommended to 
inform themselves concerning each one's moral and literary 
character," and to this end was directed to make weekly visits 
to the room of each student. 

The government of the College was put into the hands of 
all the officers acting jointly, and an elaborate system of penalties 
running through fines, private reproof, reproof before the govern- 
ment of the College, public admonition, probation with notice 
home, degradation, suspension, rustication and dismission, to 
expulsion. Suspension was the withdrawal of college privileges 
for a period less than a year, and a suspended student was put 
under the care of some person, usually a minister, who directed 
his studies and accredited him on his return to college. Rustica- 
tion was removal from college for a year, during which thestudent 
was his own master, but on returning to college he was not al- 
lowed to re-enter his class. A dismissed student might be restored 
by the Faculty, an expelled student only by the Trustees. 

The college year of thirty-seven and a half weeks began in 
September after a vacation of four weeks following Commence- 
ment, which was changed to the last Wednesday but one of 
August. The winter vacation extended seven weeks from the 
first Monday in January, and the spring vacation was for two 
and a half weeks beginning on the Thursday before the last 
Wednesday in May. There were two public oral examinations 
during the year, the first one for the seniors coming on the third 
Tuesday of March, and for the other classes, one day each, on 
the next three successive days. The second examination for 
the seniors was on Wednesday, six weeks before Commencement, 
after which a "senior vacation" of five weeks was given the 
class "to allow the members to go home, get their new clothes 
(often homespun) and make other preparations," and for the 



1820-1828.] Presidents Dana and Tyler. 201 

other classes on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before Com- 
mencement. The appointments for Commencement speakers 
were assigned to not more than twenty seniors four weeks before 
the spring vacation. The quarter days were for the seniors 
the second Wednesday of November, for the juniors the first 
Wednesday of April and for the sophomores the last Wednesday 
before the May vacation. 

The requirements for admission were increased by the addition 
of English grammar, Greek and Latin prosody, arithmetic be- 
yond square root, and geography, so that it was required of a 
candidate for admission that he be "well versed in the Grammar 
of the English, Latin and Greek Languages, in Virgil, Cicero's 
Select Orations, Sallust, the Greek Testament, Dalzel's Collec- 
tanea Graeca Minora, Latin and Greek Prosody, Arithmetic, 
ancient and modern Geography, and that he be able accurately 
to translate English into Latin." These requirements for 
admission, the course of study and the estimated expenses of a 
student were first published in the catalogue issued in October, 
1822, and indicate the definite purpose of advance on the part of 
the Trustees. By the course of study Greek was carried through 
junior year, Latin only through the first term of that year, as 
also was mathematics, which was followed for two terms by 
natural philosophy. History had one term in sophomore year, 
rhetoric one each in freshman and sophomore years, while natural 
theology and moral philosophy were taken in the last two terms 
of junior year. Senior year was occupied with Locke, Edwards 
on the Will, Butler's Analogy, Stewart's Philosophy, Evidences 
of Christianity, Law and the Federalist, while composition and 
declamation had a part in every year. The annual expense of 
a student was estimated at about $100, of which the tuition was 
$26, room rent $6, and board from $1 to $1.75 a week. 

At this meeting in February Mr. Olcott resigned his position 
as secretary and treasurer and took his seat in the Board, to 
which he had been chosen in the preceding October in the room 
of Mr. Thompson, deceased. Timothy Farrar, Jr., was elected 
treasurer and secretary in his stead, and entered on his duties 
at the ensuing Commencement. 

A new era had now fairly set in. Of the old Board that had 
carried the burden of the long and painful controversy, ex- 
Governor Gilman resigned in 181 9; Rev. Dr. Seth Payson died 
February 26, 1820; Rev. John Smith, having removed to Bangor, 
resigned in August, 1820, as did Mr. Niles, by reason of age and 



202 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XL 

infirmity. Mr. Thompson died in October, 1821, leaving to the 
College property in Bristol, estimated as worth $4,000, for the 
benefit of the chair of Greek and Latin, ^ and Dr. McFarland re- 
signed in August, 1822, There were now left of the original 
"Octagon" only Messrs. Farrar, Paine and Marsh, with Moses 
P. Payson of Bath, who came into their counsels in the midst 
of the troubles in the stead of Mr. Jacob. The new members 
were Ezekiel Webster of Boscawen, Rev. John H. Church of 
Pelham, Mills Olcott of Hanover, Rev. Israel VV. Putnam of 
Portsmouth, Samuel Prentiss of Montpelier, Vt., and Rev. 
Nathan Lord of Amherst, N. H. 

The academic Faculty likewise underwent a change. Since 
181 5 it had consisted (besides the President and two tutors) of 
only Professors Adams and Shurtleff. The chair of Languages 
had been vacant since the resignation of Professor Moore in 
that year, and till the decision of the controversy at Washington 
no attempt was made to fill it, the instruction in that department 
being given by Professor Adams, in addition to his own duties as 
professor of mathematics and natural philosophy. But as soon 
as the case was decided plans were made to reinforce the Faculty. 
In 1819 the Rev. James Murdock of Burlington, Vt., was offered 
the chair of Languages, but after some delay declined it. The 
next year William Chamberlain of the class of 1818 was elected 
to the place, but as he shrank from the comprehensive title of 
"Professor of Languages," it was changed to that of "Professor 
of Greek and Latin Languages," and he accepted the position 
under that name. As a condition of his acceptance, however, 
he asked that considerable additions should be made to the library 
in that department, and the Trustees put $400 at his disposal for 
this purpose. He was inaugurated at the following Commence- 
ment and gave an address in Latin immediately preceding the 
regular exercises of graduation.^ In the further enlargement of 
the Faculty the Trustees, following the precedent of Harvard and 
Yale, established at their annual meeting in 1819 the chair of 
Rhetoric and Oratory, but it was a venture about which they were 
by no means sure, for in the vote defining the duties of the incum- 
bent they recognized that his work was in the nature of an experi- 
ment, and in committing to him the instruction of the two higher 

' The property was devised to the College, the New Hampshire Missionary Society and the 
American Education Society as joint legatees. It greatly depreciated in value and. being sold 
In 1829, yielded to the College but J 1,689. 

* Portsmouth Journal, August as, i8ai. 



1820-1828.] Presidents Dana and Tyler. 203 

classes in belles lettres they carefully stated that after the expira- 
tion of the ensuing year the duties of the professor would be 
"more specifically defined." They elected as professor the Rev. 
Charles B. Haddock, a nephew of Daniel Webster, who had 
graduated at the head of his class in 18 16. He was a highly 
accomplished gentleman, of peculiarly handsome person and 
elegant manners, and during all his connection with the College 
deservedly enjoyed great popularity among the students. His 
influence was at once apparent in the stimulus given to prog- 
ress in his department. The old "quarter days" were enlivened 
with a new interest, and through his instrumentality, and with 
the hearty support of President Brown and his successors, prizes 
to the amount of $50 a year for excellence in oratory were author- 
ized by the Trustees, in October, 1820, to be competed for on 
the day after Commencement. There were to be fifteen speakers 
drawn from the graduating class and the two highest classes of 
undergraduates, three from each class, chosen by the classes in 
the presence of their instructors, and two volunteers from each 
of these classes, approved by the Professor of Rhetoric.^ The 
requisite funds were provided by a subscription headed by Joseph 
Bell, Richard Fletcher and John Hubbard with $50 each. There 
were to be two prizes of $15 and two of $10, and award was to 
be made by a committee appointed by the Board. The first 
exhibition was on August 22, 1821, but as no one was thought 
worthy of the first prize four awards of $10 were made. Either 
the standard of excellence was high or the performances were 
poor, for there was no first award till 1824, when Solyman Heath 
and James C. Alvord received first prizes. 

In the same connection two new societies devoted to extem- 
poraneous speaking, the Adelphian and the Phi Sigma, were 
established among the students, ^ and both of the principal 
literary societies were stirred into new life. All the societies, 
including the Phi Beta Kappa, which at that time received mem- 
bers in the latter part of their junior year, held weekly meetings 
in Society Hall, which was on the first floor of Dartmouth Hall. 
Monday evening was given to the Theological Society, Tuesday 
evening to the Fraternity, Wednesday to the Socials, while the 
Adelphian and Phi Beta Kappa met on Thursday and the Handel 
on Friday. Saturday evening was reserved for a religious meet- 

• Records of Trustees. 

* A. Crosby, Memorial, etc., p. i6. *. S., Phi Sigma, were the initials of two Greek words 
signifying Assembly of Debaters. 



204 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XL 

ing in the village, conducted by the students and dating back 
to the revival of 1815. The Phi Sigma was originally restricted 
to members of the class of 1827, but in their senior year similar 
associations in the other classes united with it, and thus formed 
a general college society having four branches, but both it and 
the Adelphian were soon disbanded.^ In 1825 the Trustees 
put two rooms in Dartmouth Hall at the disposal of the two older 
societies; the Fraternity used theirs as a reading room, and in 
theirs the Socials established, doubtless under the influence of 
Professor Chamberlain, a philological library, whose object was 
to obtain the best aids to the critical study of the Greek and 
Latin classics. For this purpose a heavy tax was laid upon the 
Society and the library gave a marked impetus to classical schol- 
arship, but the books were ultimately incorporated into the 
general library of the Society.'^ The opening of the reading 
room and the library was accompanied by a greater activity in 
the use of the other libraries. The College librar>% which occu- 
pied a narrow room extending across the middle of the building, 
in the second story, contained few books of any practical value 
and was opened to students only once a fortnight. The Society 
libraries, which, containing about 6,000 volumes, were their 
main dependence, were given larger rooms and were now opened 
daily, instead of twice a week, for the delivery and return of books, 
and were kept open most of the day for consultation and reading. 
The societies vied with one another in their attempt to enlarge 
and improve their libraries, and many of the most valuable books 
in either library were added during that period.^ In order the 
better to secure their possessions the societies were duly incor- 
porated in 1 826-1 827, It was the custom for the several societies 
to celebrate their public anniversaries at Commencement time, 
when an oration would be given by some member of the Society, 
usually in the graduating class, as in 1801 Daniel Webster gave 
the oration before the United Fraternity on "The Influence of 

' The dissolution of these societies was doubtless hastened by the following vote of the Faculty 
passed April 9, 1829: 

"Voted, that in the opinion of the Faculty the multiplication of Literary Societies in college, 
by dividing the attention and consuming the time of the students and in other ways, is in danger 
of injuring not only the character of the ancient and valuable and Rival Societies, but the 
general interests of the Institution and of learning; that it be therefore recommended to the 
members of the Phi Sigma and Adelphian Societies deliberately to consider the expediency of 
dissolving these Societies by mutual consent, after their next anniversaries; and that the de- 
cided and unanimous opinion of the Faculty in favor of such dissolution be communicated to 
each of said Societies." 

'A. Crosby, Memorial, p. 21. 

' A. Crosby, Memorial, p. 22. 



1 820-1828.] Presidents Dana and Tyler. 205 

Opinion,"^ and in 1819 Rufus Choate was to have addressed the 
Social Friends, but was prevented by illness, and in 1828 Clement 
Long gave the oration before the Adelphian.^ It was not till 
1837 that the two older Societies united in inviting an orator 
from abroad, when they secured George S. Hilliard to give the 
address. 

In 1823 a further change was made in the Faculty by the 
introduction of Dr. Oliver as professor of intellectual and moral 
philosophy, who added the duties of his new chair to those which 
he already had as professor of materia medica and therapeutics, 
and the distinction then drawn in the catalogue for the first 
time in that form between the "Medical Department" and the 
"Academical Department," gives a hint of more ambitious 
ideas, similar to those that afterward took shape under President 
Lord and President Smith. These various changes in the gov- 
erning boards of the College were attended with minor changes 
and movements that gave character to the new administration. 
Up to 1822 the only means of heating Dartmouth Hall had been 
fire places, which were both unsafe and insufficient, but in that 
year the Trustees voted that they should all be bricked up, and 
stoves were substituted for them. Two years later, in 1824, the 
recitation rooms, which had heretofore been provided by the 
several classes, were taken over by the authorities and from 
then on were provided and equipped by them. 

Among the reforms, the catalogue, first issued in 1802 as a 
private venture of the sophomore class and hitherto but a list 
of names, printed as a hand bill upon one side of a sheet, took in 
1820 the form of an octavo pamphlet of 15 pages. In 1822 for 
the first time it contained a statement of the terms of admission, 
the course of study and an estimate of expenses, but it was still 
the private venture of the sophomore class. In 1823 it pre- 
sented, likev/ise for the first time, the names of the officers of 
the State, ex officio members of the corporation in relation to 
funds given by the State. This, though a small matter, may be 
accepted as an acknowledgment of the return of good feeling in 
the State toward the College and the desire of the college au- 

i Dartmouth Gazette, August 29, 1801. Dr. A. Alexander, who was present at that Com- 
mencement strangely says that Webster's theme was Recent Discoveries in Chemistry, Life, p. 
260. The address was printed in full in the Dartmouth Phoenix for March, 1857. It disappeared 
from the collections of the Society, where a copy had been placed, and after Mr. Webster's 
death a letter was found among his papers asking that it might be published. This had met a 
peremptory refusal, but after Mr. Webster's death it was published in a New York paper and 
later in the Phoenix. 

Dartmouth Gazette, August 25, 1819: Portsmouth Oracle, August 28, 1819. 



2o6 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XL 

thorities to cultivate it. The happy change found expression 
in various ways. In that year the Governor, Levi Woodbury, 
resumed official relations with the College by taking his seat in 
the Board, and Messrs. Brewster and Poole, the most influential 
members of the university party in Hanover, subscribed $ioo 
each to the fund which President Tyler was raising. 

As has been said, great inconvenience had been experienced 
of late on account of the inability of many students to pay their 
college bills, and in 1823 the Board remitted half their tuition to 
a number of indigent students, not exceeding four in each class, 
at the discretion of the Faculty, and also authorized their treas- 
urer to hire ten or more rooms in the Tontine, a large building on 
the main street, to be occupied by students gratuitously, at the 
discretion of the President, but even then it was beset with 
appeals for credit. To gain relief President Tyler, in 1823 and 
1824, applied himself successfully to obtaining subscriptions 
throughout the State for a fund of $10,000, to be devoted to the 
assistance of undergraduates studying for the gospel ministry.' 
This was long known as the "Charity Fund," but is now called 
"The Ministry Scholarships." The President did not avoid 
the old opponents of the College in his solicitations, but took the 
opportunity to make special efforts to recover their favor. In 
Concord he called upon Mr. Isaac Hill himself to head the sub- 
scription, and got not only a subscription of $50, but the per- 
sonal friendship of that gentleman. 

In 1823 Professor Dana, being a member of the Legislature 
from Hanover, wrote from Concord to Col. Brewster, on June 
16: 

There is a disposition generally prevalent among the members of the legis- 
lature to patronize Dartmouth College, but it is not likely that anything will 
be done by them their present session. The committee to whom was referred 
that part of the Governor's message relating to Literature have decided not to 
report unless called upon by the House. Yet they would be willing to report 
in our favor if any memorial on the subject should regularly come before them. 
Will it not be well for the President, yourself and some others to present such a 
memorial? If it is done it must be done quickly. Many persons not con- 
nected with the legislature are in our interest — for example Judge Durell, 

1 Some of the subscribers to this fund instead of money gave bonds, which are known to the 
records as "Charity Bonds." Over $2,000 of the subscriptions, including about $900 of the 
bonds, failed, so that the amount actually realized was about J8,ooo. Appropriations from 
this fund were for many years made upon the express written obligation that if the recipient 
for any reason should not enter the ministry he should restore the amount to the fund, an obli- 
gation which, unhappily, was generally violated. The fund has, however, in the course of 
time increased by unexpended accumulations to $14,000. 



1820-1828.] Presidents Dana and Tyler. 207 

Mr. Cilley of Deerfield, Mr. Butler, &c. &c. The President has been chosen 
Vice President of the Historical Society of N. H.; Woodbury Vice President 
also; and old Governor Plumer is President. 

It does not appear that Professor Dana's suggestion bore 
fruit at that time, but it was not lost upon the Trustees, for 
at their meeting in 1824 they considered it expedient to apply 
to the Legislature for help from the Literary fund of the State, 
which at that time amounted to about $10,000, and on their 
behalf the President, at the session of 1825, personally solicited 
aid for the College from this fund.^ The petition was referred 
to a committee of fifteen, headed by Mr. H. Hubbard of Charles- 
town, a former Trustee of the University, which reported "leave 
to withdraw," "a bare majority declaring that they would not 
under any circumstances make a grant to Dartmouth College. "^ 
Later in the same session Mr. Hubbard brought in a bill appropri- 
ating to the College one half the fund then accumulated and 
one half of the future receipts for ten years, conditioned on an 
amendment to the charter, erecting a Board of Overseers with 
powers substantially like those given to the overseers of the 
late University. The bill was quickly put to death by the usual 
postponement to the next session.^ In the following year 
Governor Morrill, who had been an ex officio member of the Over- 
seers of the University, recommended that the College receive 
some part of the Literary fund, with a veiled suggestion of a 
change in the charter, but the Legislature took no action.^ 

At the June session, 1827, the Literary fund having accumu- 
lated to almost $50,000, Governor Pierce recommended that 
some disposition be made of it. A resolution, introduced into 
the House by William Claggett of Portsmouth, supported by 
Mr. Gregg of Unity, declaring the expediency of establishing a 
university under the control of the State was, after two days' 
discussion in committee of the whole, indefinitely postponed by 
145 votes against 65.^ Hanover was represented by Dr. Oliver 
in the College district, and Mr. Miller from the eastern section; 
both voted with the majority. In the meantime a bill to the 
like effect establishing, out of the Literary fund, in Merrimac 
County, a State institution to be styled the "New Hampshire 
University" passed the Senate, of which Messrs. Isaac Hill, 

» H. J., pp. 60, 164. 

^New Hampshire Patriot, June 20, 1825. 

' H. J., pp. 171, 234; Ne-di Hampshire Patriot, June 20, 27, and July 4, 1823. 

* S. J., p. 20. 

'H. J., pp. 18, 77, 85, 161. 



2o8 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI. 

Matthew Harvey and William Plumer, Jr., were members, and 
came down to the House where it was forthwith rejected on the 
first reading by a vote of 121 to 58.^ Such was the change which 
a few years had effected in the temper of the House. This was 
the last attempt to establish a rival institution to the College. 

In 1824 the question of color distinction came up at the College 
in a practical form. Edward Mitchell, a young man of irre- 
proachable character, a native of Martinique, W. I., partly of 
African blood, who had accompanied President Brown on his 
return from the south in 1820, and had remained in his family 
after the death of the president on equal terms with his children, 
applied for admission to the freshman class. He was examined 
and approved by the Faculty, but the Trustees fearing that his 
presence would be unacceptable to the students, at first refused 
to receive him, and he left the place, but the students hearing 
of it held meetings and through a committee requested that he 
be admitted. The committee was headed by C. D. Cleveland 
of the class of 1827, whose complexion was dark for a Caucasian, 
and he is said in pleading for Mitchell to have used the argument 
that if color excluded from the College he himself could not be a 
member. The Trustees reversed their action, Mitchell was sent 
for, and, being received into College, passed through the course 
with credit and was graduated in 1828.^ The precedent thus 
established has from that time governed the College, which has 
shown an unfailing hospitality to the negro, even when the doors 
of other institutions were closed against him. Many of that 
race have entered here, and many have been graduated ; none of 
them have been treated by the students otherwise than with 
courtesy and respect, so far as deserved, indeed the tendency has 
been toward an overkindness that has sometimes done injury to 
the recipient. Some seventeen years earlier in 1807, a young man 
of color, Prince Sanders by name, came here to study, under the 
patronage of Col. Oramel Hinckley of Chelsea, Vt. He was 
admitted as a student in Moor's School and provided with a 
room in Commons Hall, and remained several years. Still 
earlier, under the first President, occurred the case of Caleb 
Watts, already referred to in a former page.' 

A college uniform was at that time something of a fad. In the 
summer of 1820 the students of Yale adopted one, "with a view 

1 S. J., pp. 58. 77; H. J., pp. 145, I9S. 
^Dartmouth Centennial, p. 3S; A. Crosby, p. 22. 
' Volume I, p. 300. 



1820-1828.] Presidents Dafta and Tyler. 209 

to promote economy in dress"; the following winter Union 
followed suit,^ forming the "Franklin Society," whose object 
was to use only goods of American manufacture, and perhaps 
under this influence the students here in a general meeting March 
15, 1825, recommended the adoption of a uniform. It consisted 
of a single-breasted black frock coat with rolling collar, having 
on the left breast a sprigged diamond three and a half inches 
long and three inches wide ; and on the left sleeve half a sprigged 
diamond for freshmen, two halves placed one above the other 
for sophomores, three for juniors and four for seniors; with black 
or white pantaloons, stockings, vests and cravats. It received 
the approbation of the Faculty and that of the Trustees in the 
form of a recommendation for its use, but without compulsion. 
It was, in fact, quite generally adopted, but survaved no longer 
than the first suit lasted.^ 

Professor Alpheus Crosby, who entered College in 1823 and 
was graduated in 1827, has left us an interesting account of 
college life at this period, from which the following details are 
taken :^ 

The college buildings comprised only the old chapel and Dart- 
mouth Hall.^ The latter was divided into thirty-six rooms, of 
which about twenty-five were open to the occupation of students, 
but these were so unpopular that most of the students roomed 
at private houses. The libraries of the college and of the socie- 
ties were housed in this hall, and also the philosophical appara- 
tus, which was small and inexpensive. There was no chemical 
apparatus excepting in the Medical Department, nor any cabinet 
of mineralogy or natural history. The mineralogical collection 
gathered by one of the students, while in college, was the largest 
in Hanover.^ The students were of moderate means, most of 
them defraying their expenses by teaching school, and their 
exertions taught them to spend frugally what they had gained 
so laboriously, and to appreciate highly privileges purchased 
with so much effort. There was among them great plainness of 
dress and furniture, and great freedom from all the forms of 

^Dartmouth Herald, January lO, 1821. 

'Trustees' Record; A. Crosby, p. 23. 

»A. Crosby, Memorial, passim. 

4 The village at that time consisted of about seventy houses with a population in 1821 of 633. 
According to Farmer and Moore, Gazetteer of New Hampshire, p. 132, there were in that year 
only three deaths in the village, and for the preceding sixteen years the annual mortality had 
been about seven, "perhaps as healthy as any place of its size in New England." 

'This student was Forrest Shepard of the class of 1826, but a graduate of Yale in 1827. 
[Statement of Professor O. P. Hubbard.l 
14 



210 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI. 

expensive amusement and dissipation. There was a strong 
public sentiment among the students in favor of good order, 
studiousness, virtue and piety. 

According to the custom already noticed, recitations were 
held in students' rooms, supplied with plain movable furniture 
at the expense of the class, consisting of a chair and table for the 
instructor, a small blackboard in one corner, a stove, and on 
two sides of the room a double row of long unpainted pine benches, 
which had usually served previous classes. Professor Crosby's 
class recited in successive years in rooms on the first floor of Dart- 
mouth Hall, "The College" as it was then commonly called. 
Professor Crosby tells us that his first recitation in college was 
prepared at a table made by piling one trunk on the top of an- 
other, and by a light struck from flint and steel, matches being 
unknown. 

There was then no college clock, and the bellman's watch was 
the sovereign standard of time for college and village. This 
trusty official was appointed from the junior class and the middle 
room on the east side of the third floor of Dartmouth Hall was 
set apart for his use. For prayers the bell tolled six minutes. 
Supper immediately followed evening prayers, and good house- 
wives carefully watched for the first egress from chapel that 
they might set on their warm dishes and be ready to welcome 
impatient appetites. At a later day the more merciful rule 
prevailed that the first bell in the morning (fifteen or twenty 
minutes before the tolling) should never be rung earlier 
than five o'clock, and the custom sprang up of ringing instead 
of tolling during the last minute of the second bell, to warn those 
who were lingering that the time had almost expired. The 
merry tinkle of this terminal ring, when first heard, seemed to 
some irreverent. 

" It is a deep problem in philosophy, " writes Professor Crosby, 
"how our ears learned to distinguish so accurately even in sleep 
the tones of the first and second bells. Some of us for weeks 
or even months together slept uniformly through the norsy 
ringing of the first bell, but were waked at once by the gentle 
strokes of the second, sprang out of bed, threw on our clothes, 
caught up books, and though we might have to cross the common, 
were in our chapel seats before the six minutes had expired. 
Those who roomed near could spend even part of the six minutes 
in bed." 

These hours for prayers continued to be observed till the end 



1820-1828.] Presidents Dana and Tyler. 211 

of the college year in 1856, when morning chapel was put after 
the breakfast hour, at 7:50. The earlier custom was, indeed,, 
barbarous and the occasion, no doubt, of much injury to health 
in the more inclement seasons. It gave occasion likewise for 
many laughable incidents. Attendance was expected at prayers, 
even though, as sometimes happened for certain classes, no 
recitation followed. It was not unusual in such cases, and in 
summer weather, for students to rise from bed at the last moment 
and, without giving themselves the trouble to dress, to attend 
in their places, wrapped from shoulder to feet in the long wide 
cloak then in fashion, ready to return to bed till breakfast. 
There is an authentic record of one who suffered the misfortune, 
when thus habited, of becoming involved in a rush, and being 
pitched headlong down the chapel steps and out of his cloak. 
The following letter, written in July, 1825, by E. O. Hovey, 
a freshman, tells the busy life of a student in those days: 

To give you a short history of a week — when you have this you have the 
history of my life at present. To begin, I rise at the ringing of the bell, about 
sunrise. In fifteen minutes 1 repair to the chapel for prayers. On Mondays 
we have no recitation in the morning, breakfast at half past six — by the way 
I board at one end of the plain and room at the other. At eleven I have a 
recitation in Webber's Mathematics; dinner at half past twelve; recitation 
in Webber at three; theological Society at four, spend from an hour to an 
hour and a half, at six evening prayers and immediately after, tea. So much 
for Monday. 

Tuesday begins with a recitation immediately after morning prayers, another 
at eleven; at three composition in the class. Wednesday, mathematics in 
the morning and at eleven; public speaking at tvv'o, and meeting of the Social 
friends at four. Thursday three recitations in Mathematics. Friday, recita- 
tions in the morning and at eleven; speaking in the class at three, meeting 
of the Handel Society at four. Saturday, two recitations, afternoon for 
exercise and recreation except one [hour] in the Alpha Delta Society, and a 
lecture in the chapel at six. 

Sunday, prayers as usual, meeting of the Theological Society at half past 
nine; public worship at half past ten, and at half past one. 

For a failure in the performance of any one of the above exercises we are 
liable to a fine of from five to twenty five cents allowed, however, one recita- 
tion and two prayers per week free from fines. Now if you dont think the 
college life a busy one — then think again. 

The Nation's guest [Lafayette] was at Windsor on Tuesday — about a half 
the students went from here to see him. I would gladly have gone but the 
pinching hand of poverty prevented. 

The increase in the academic Faculty, already mentioned, by 
the appointment of Professors Chamberlain and Haddock and 
the partial transfer of Dr. Oliver to it, was made still more marked 



212 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI. 

in 1 823 by the action of the Board in directing Professor Dana to 
give instruction in chemistry to the students of the College. 
For this service he was to be given $350, one half a professor's 
salary, and the juniors and seniors were to attend his lectures 
in that subject. It was found, however, that the funds of the 
College could not sustain the added charge, and in August, 1825, 
the Board directed that the seniors and juniors should attend 
the lectures in chemistry and the seniors those in anatomy, and 
that the seniors should be charged one dollar and thirty-three 
cents and the juniors sixty-seven cents on each term bill for the 
benefit of the Professor of Chemistry. 

The first effect of the new appointments was to give relief to 
the overburdened members of the Faculty who had for so long 
carried the whole load of instruction, but they also tended to 
enlarge and unify the course of study. It had been the practice, 
as far as possible, for one man to give all the instruction to a 
particular class, but in 1826 the separation of the departments 
of instruction was more definitely made. The sophomore tutor 
was discontinued and for the first time that class was put in 
charge of a professor. To Professor Chamberlain was given the 
discharge of "all duties in relation to languages, to Professor 
Adams those relating to mathematics," while Professor Shurt- 
lefif attended to the English studies of the junior and senior 
years, and Professor Haddock to those of the sophomore and 
freshman years. 

Attempts were also made to render the library more service- 
able. In addition to the $400 spent for classical books by Profes- 
sor Chamberlain, $400 were spent in 1822 for books in chemistry 
and $200 again in 1827, when Professor Hale was requested to 
take charge of the establishment of a mineralogical cabinet. In 
the following year, in answer to the representation of Professor 
Hale that on assuming his duties he had not been able to find 
in the library a single book of value in the subjects of geology 
and mineralogy, it was voted to spend $100 to meet the need. 
To bring the Board into closer touch with the working of the 
College a prudential committee was established in 1824, consist- 
ing of Messrs. Marsh, Olcott and Payson, whose duty was "to 
consult and give advice to the Executive Government in all 
cases of exigency, to attend the examinations of the students," 
to advise with the treasurer on financial affairs, and in general 
to devise ways and means for the welfare of the College. 

In order to consider all possible measures for the advancement 



1820-1828.] Presidents Dana afid Tyler. 213 

of the College the Board at its meeting in August, 1826, appointed 
a committee, consisting of the President with Messrs. Lord, 
Webster and Putnam, "to take into consideration the whole 
internal afifairs of the College and report thereon. " Their report, 
drafted by Mr. Lord, was presented at an adjourned meeting in 
January, 1827, and was the starting point of many changes. 

To begin with, a question of meeting the demand for a college 
of more central location by removal to some point in the Merri- 
mack valley, which was advocated by some, was considered and 
answered unequivocally in the negative. Equally chimerical 
was declared to be the hope of receiving the patronage of the 
Legislature on any terms that could be accepted. At the same 
time it was regarded as improbable that any rival institution 
could be established. Premising, then, that the College must 
work out its own destinies where it was, and "that the great 
effort of its governors should be to raise its character in public 
estimation as a school of sound learning and of pure morals — 
a resort truly honorable and safe for the youth of our land," the 
committee proceeded to recommend various reforms of admin- 
istration. Among other things it was proposed that fines for 
non-attendance at recitation should be abolished, as punishing 
the parent rather than the student; that every lesson should be 
recited and marked, and a report made to the Trustees at the 
end of the year of the work of each student; that students should 
be admitted only above the age of fourteen years, and be exam- 
ined for entrance by three of the executive officers; that for one 
term each student should be on probation as to "his disposition 
and habits, his aptness to learn, and the probabilities of his be- 
coming a respectable member of College and useful in profes- 
sional life," and that "the rules should be rigidly applied without 
favor or affection." 

As to college studies the committee expressed "a doubtful 
opinion," not formulated into a recommendation. 

That an undue proportion of time is devoted to classical learning. It is 
not easy [said they] to conceive that the study of any language can be materi- 
ally important except for inducing habits of mental application, or for the 
ideas which it communicates, or as a help to the intercourse of life. 

In reference particularly to the Greek language it is believed that this neither 
so much exercises the mind, nor increases knowledge nor assists conversation, 
except in the case of those who contemplate the profession of Divinity, as 
many other branches of study. To a very large proportion of graduates Greek 
in a few years is entirely lost, and with it the time devoted to it at college, 
which might have been improved more usefully for purposes connected with 



214 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI. 

their professions. This may be owing in part to inadequate methods of instruc- 
tion, but more, it is apprehended, to the fact that the language itself subserves 
no practical use. It is scarcely called for in the course of life. 

The Committee would enquire whether the study of the Greek may not be 
made, like the Hebrew, a voluntary exercise in college, or confined to those 
whose intended profession requires an acquaintance with it, and whether in- 
creased facilities may not be afforded to such as may pursue this study, while 
additional advantages are afforded to others in studies accommodated to 
their respective pursuits. 

The recommendations of the report being approved by the 
Board, a new committee, of which Mr. Lord was the leading 
member, was appointed to prepare a new code of laws in sub- 
stantial conformity with the recommendations, and the report 
of this committee was presented and adopted at a meeting in 
January, 1828. By this code the name of "Faculty" for the 
officers of instruction was substituted for the former title of 
"Executive Authority," but the discipline was still declared to 
be parental. The requirement of frequent visitation of students' 
rooms during study hours was continued, and the oversight of 
their attendance made more exact. No student might be absent 
over night without permission of the President or of one of the 
instructors on the written request of his parent or guardian, and 
a weekly report of attendance and proficiency on a scale of marks 
was to be made by each instructor to the President, from which 
was to be made up the annual report to the Board. To prevent 
contamination of morals and the rise of sympathetic opposition 
any student who should "associate with a suspended, dismissed 
or expelled student, without leave of the President," was liable 
to severe punishment. Fines were still continued as penalties 
for failure to perform exercises in speaking and composition and 
for absence. 

Instead of an annual fee of $2, for the use of the library a 
charge was made according to the books taken out, ten cents 
for a folio, eight cents for a quarto, six cents for an octavo and 
four cents for a i2mo. It is not surprising that the librarian 
reported at the next Commencement that there was a decrease 
in the number of books drawn, and recommended that the library 
be open but one hour a week instead of two hours as before. 
Tuition was changed from $26, due in quarterly payments, to 
$27, due in three payments, one in each term, with $1, for inci- 
dentals, and a library charge according to its use. For tlieir 
mutual advantage instructors were required to attend occasionally 
each others' recitations. In place of the "performance" of the 



1 820-1828.] Presidents Dana and Tyler. 215 

Professor of Theology at Saturday evening chapel, given up on 
the resignation of Professor Shurtleff, a bibhcal exercise was 
prescribed for Sunday evening or Monday morning, which was 
to be a substitute for one of the required exercises of Monday. 
The suggestions of the first committee as to the restriction or 
dropping of Greek as a requirement do not seem to have met with 
favor, but on the contrary the President was requested to cor- 
respond with other colleges on the expediency of introducing 
Hebrew as a language to be studied in college. 

The modification of the course of study made by the new code 
was still further eft'ected by the changes which took place in the 
Faculty about that time. In August, 1826, Professor Dana 
resigned the chair of chemistry and in the following January the 
Rev. Benjamin Hale, a graduate of Bowdoin and Principal of 
the Gardiner Lyceum, was chosen as his successor, but as a mem- 
ber of the academic Faculty, with the title of Professor of Chem- 
istry, Mineralogy and Legal Medicine. At the same meeting 
Professor Shurtleff, whose strength was unequal to the arduous 
duties of the chair of Divinity combined with those of ministering 
to the College church, surrendered his chair and was immxcdiately 
chosen to that of logic and metaphysics, which under a change 
of title in the following August to moral philosophy and political 
economy, he carried with distinguished success for ten years. 
The resignation of Professor Shurtleff and the coming of a new 
Professor of Theology again opened the question of the relation 
of the village church to the College. This professor preached 
to the students, but in the house owned mainly by members of 
the church, who by virtue of his preaching to them in their house 
regarded him as their pastor, and yet by vote of the Trustees, 
passed in 1806, were precluded from doing anything for his 
support. They wished to bring this anomalous condition of 
affairs to an end, and on their request at the coming of Professor 
Howe, that they might have some share in his support, the Trus- 
tees promptly rescinded their former vote and allowed the church 
to assume its proper share in the support of their pastor. The 
Rev. George Howe, a graduate of Middlebury, was chosen to suc- 
ceed Professor Shurtleff as Professor of Divinity, but the duty 
of preaching was divided between him and the President. To 
prevent confusion with the new chair of Professor Shurtleff, 
Dr. Oliver's was changed to intellectual philosophy. 

In January of 1826 the College was threatened with a serious 
loss by a robbery. Judge Farrar, the College treasurer, was 



2i6 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI. 

holding court at Portsmouth, and in his absence his desk was 
broken open and rifled of about $i,ooo belonging to the College. 
Diligent investigations threw suspicion upon a young man named 
William H. Ropes, who was living in the family of the judge, 
and who on being arrested confessed the theft and restored all 
the money. He was committed to jail and at the May term of 
Court pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in the 
State prison.^ 

Among the changes of this time was the requirement that the 
President should make to the Trustees a written annual report 
on the condition of the College with such recommendations as 
he and the Faculty might wish to make. President Tyler's 
first report was made at the annual meeting in August and gave 
a favorable account of the result of the changes. The Faculty 
had been apprehensive of the requirement that all omitted 
exercises should be made up and that weekly reports should be 
made of the work of the students, shrinking somewhat from the 
extra work thrown upon them, but the requirement had been 
effective and was popular with the students. The abolition of 
fines worked well, though it had tended to increase absence from 
prayers. The President thought that too many fines were still 
retained in the penal code, and he recommended that more power 
be given to the President in the matter of discipline, as the details 
of executive business occupied more time in the meetings of the 
Faculty than "any person without experience would be likely 
to imagine," as subjects of comparatively trifling importance 
often led to protracted discussions that interfered with the 
dispatch of business. 

Two recommendations of the Faculty did not meet the approval 
of the Trustees, one that students entering College should be 
required to state that they had read the laws of the College and 
would fully obey them, and the other that, owing to the unpop- 
ularity of the biblical exercise among the students, the Faculty 
be authorized to modify or discontinue it at their discretion. 
The permission which was then refused was granted in the fol- 
lowing year, and under it the Faculty put the exercise on Sunday 
afternoon, attendance being voluntary, and during the summer 
term it was merged in a general religious meeting. In course 
of time it was found that most of the students avoided it, and in 
1833 the Faculty advised an order of compulsory attendance. 
This was accepted and under such direction the exercise con- 

1 New Hampshire Patriot, January 23 and 30, 1826; Court files. 



1820-1828.] Presidents Dana and Tyler. 217 

tinued in one form or another, as an exercise in the Greek Testa- 
ment, or in the EngUsh Bible, or as a lecture, till it was finally 
abandoned in 1892. It was never an exercise which commanded 
the interest of the students and from the outset its character 
and the method of conducting it were questions of active dis- 
cussion. "The whole subject of Biblical instruction," said 
President Lord, in his report in 1831, "is one of no ordinary- 
embarrassment, on which our theoretical reasonings are not 
always found to bear well and safely in their applications. 
Whether the Bible should be put on a level with the classics as 
a text book for study, whether it should be like other studies 
required of all indiscriminately; and to what extent and in 
what form it should be used for purposes of literary or moral 
instruction are all questions which benevolence will be more 
ready to answer than discretion. " 

In the midst of these changes came the resignation of President 
Tyler. The active duties of a pastor had always been very 
congenial to him. He had surrendered them with great reluc- 
tance, and only under a sense of unavoidable obligation of duty 
to accept the call to the presidency of Dartmouth at a critical 
time, and he cherished a longing to be again at his favorite tasks. 
The failing health of Professor Shurtleff had cast upon him the 
principal care of the College church from the summer of 1825, 
and his preachijig was accompanied, in 1826, with a deep and 
remarkable revival in the College and the village. But the 
official cares grew each year more irksome, and an invitation, 
coming to him in May, 1828, to assume the pastorate of the 
Second Congregational Church in Portland, Me., revived his 
desire for ministerial and pastoral work too strongly to be re- 
sisted. It seemed to him that he had fulfilled the most pressing 
duties that had devolved upon him here, and that the circum- 
stances of the College no longer demanded that he should further 
sacrifice his preferences. He, therefore, determined to accept 
the call, and resigned the presidency in the following August.^ 

1 Bennet Tyler, the son of James and Anne (Hungerford) Tyler, was born in Middlebury, 
Conn., July 6, 1783. He was graduated at Yale in 1804 and studied divinity with the Rev. 
Asahel Hooker of Goshen, Conn. From his first pastorate at South Britain, Conn., he came to 
the presidency of Dartmouth. On leaving the College he was installed at Portland in Septem- 
ber, 1828, but after holding that position for six years he became President and Professor of 
Christian Theology at the Theological Institute at East Windsor, Conn. Resigning in 1857, 
he died May 14, 1858. He is described as of a tall, stout figure, of fair complexion, of a lively, 
intelligent blue eye and an open benevolent expression, free from stiffness or affectation of 
manner, and of genial and sympathetic nature. 



CHAPTER XII. 
1828-1863. 

THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT LORD. 

CIRCUMSTANCES pointed irresistibly to the Rev. Nathan 
Lord as President Tyler's successor. Aside from his 
personal qualifications, the intimate knowledge that he had 
gained of the affairs of the College in the discharge of his duties 
as trustee for the two preceding years gave him peculiar fitness 
for the position, and it happened also that a difficulty of the 
throat, impairing his voice, had prevented him for some time from 
discharging the active duties of his pulpit at Amherst. Notwith- 
standing he expressed great reluctance to undertake the task, he 
was immediately and unanimously elected, but it was only after 
two months of hesitation that the urgent advice of his friends 
and an improvement in his health led him to accept the appoint- 
ment, and he was inaugurated October 28, 1828, with the most 
flattering prospects which were not belied by the result. His 
health improved and he was able for thirty-five years to exercise 
a controlling influence upon the affairs of the College. His 
accession may fairly be said to mark the beginning of the recent 
history of the College. 

The period of almost fifty years before him witnessed the hero- 
ism and romance of its founding, and also the struggle for 
existence under the second Wheelock, changing in his later ad- 
ministration to internal controversies and the conflict with the 
State which called out the loyalty and sacrifice of President Brown, 
while the administrations of Presidents Dana and Tyler, limited 
in their activities by the exhaustion resulting from what had 
immediately preceded, were occupied in holding fast the things 
that remained, in recovering friendships, in soothing alienations 
and in preparing the way for the development that might be 
possible under more favorable conditions. Under President 
Lord the development was realized and the College entered on 
the course by which under successive presidents it has reached its 
present state. ^ 

I Nathan Lord, the son of John and Mehitabel (Perkins) Lord, was bom in South Berwick, 
Me., November 28, 1792. Fitting for college at the academy in that village he was graduated 
from Bowdoin College in 1809. After two years as a teacher at Phillips Exeter Academy he 
studied for the ministry and after being graduated from Andover Theological Seminary in 1815 

218 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 219 

The immediate burden of the new administration, descending 
to it from the past, was the financial one. By special vote Dr. 
Lord was appointed the financial agent of the Board to raise 
money in the execution of plans already made. In the preceding 
January the Board had determined to attempt to raise a sub- 
scription of $50,000, to become binding when $30,000 had been 
subscribed, "to place the Institution on a broad and permanent 
foundation, to secure to it an elevated character, and to furnish 
it with all those advantages which will comport with the im- 
provements of the age," and had appointed a number of agents, 
mostly ministers of New Hampshire and neighboring states, to 
direct and hasten the work. President Tyler had immediately 
set the project on foot, and on the ist of February had so earnestly 
presented the matter to the alumni of Boston at a meeting in the 
Exchange Coffee House, and on the evening of the 5th to a similar 
meeting in Nev/buryport that he secured subscriptions from sixty 
alumni am.ounting to $6,000. A printed appeal was sent out in 
the same month, but without much result, except to awaken 
interest. The agents appointed accomplished little and most of 
what was done was by the personal efforts of President Tyler in the 
vacations. 

The hope was again entertained by some and found public 
expression that the State might now come to the help of the 
College with the Literary fund, which by this time amounted to 
$53,000, but the hope was doomed to disappointment. 

At the November session of 1828 Governor John Bell devoted 
several pages of his message to the subject of education. Allud- 
ing to the College as "by private munificence (with the aid of 
donations from the State) in possession of considerable 
funds . . . and enjoying a considerable degree of prosper- 
ity," and declaring that "such is the number and character of 
similar institutions in New England, neither the public interest 
requires, nor is it desirable on any account to increase them," 
he recommended the permanent appropriation of the incom.e of 
the Literary fund and bank tax to be distributed among the towns 
for the support of the common schools. At the same time he 
suggested the establishment by the State at public charge of an 

he was settled as pastor in Amherst, N. H. He was President of Dartmouth till July 1863. 
when he resigned, living thenceforth quietly in Hanover till his death, September 9, 1870. 
In person Dr. Lord (Bowdoin made him a D.D. in 1828) was of medium height, of vigorous 
physical powers, of massive features making a strongly marked face, keen blue eyes, shrouded 
in later life, owing to their weakness, with green glasses, a pleasant expression, and of rare and 
unfailing courtesy of manner. 



220 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XII. 

experimental farm and Agricultural School. The Governor's 
views as to the disposition of the Literary fund were made oper- 
ative by an act of December 31, 1828, but his other proposition 
was rejected without a division.^ 

The resignation of President Tyler naturally tended to retard 
subscriptions, but Dr. Lord on his accession took up the work with 
vigor. The subscription had been made payable in five annual 
installments, if the subscriber so desired, and was not to be 
binding unless the minimum of $30,000 had been subscribed by 
August 25, 1829. Notwithstanding the utmost efforts, the re- 
quired amount had not been reached as that day approached, 
and the whole subscription seemed likely to" be lost, but when on 
the 24th it reached only $29,600, President Lord added $400 to 
the subscription of $300 which he had already made and thus 
saved the whole. He was afterward relieved of about $300 by 
belated subscriptions. 

This subscription was the beginning of a new era for the Col- 
lege. It did not remove all its difficulties or lift all its burdens, 
but it gave the relief that was necessary and helped morally as 
well as financially. There were still jealousies and enmities in 
some quarters, but it showed that there was a large and devoted 
constituency on which the College could depend, and that the 
current of feeling was setting toward and not against it. Finan- 
cially it relieved the College of a burden of debt that, added to 
its other necessities, was almost crushing, for it provided the 
means, as has been previously told, of paying the debt to the 
estate of John Wheelock in 1832, when for the first time the Col- 
lege became free from debt except to its own funds, and there 
was, for that year, nearly a balance between income and expenses. 
It also afforded the means for the construction of much needed 
buildings and improvements. 

In the last year of President Tyler's administration there had 
been a decrease in the number of students, in itself not regarded 
as a serious fact,^ as the number of undergraduates, 134, was 
larger by seven than the number that New Hampshire sent to 
all colleges, and the decrease was explained partly by the rise of 
other colleges, but more by the impression extensively prevailing 
that the college buildings were decayed, and that accommodations 
were inferior to those provided in the other institutions. The 
College was not able to provide rooms in Dartmouth and Brown 

> H. J., 94 and 321. 2 President's Report, 1828. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 221 

Halls, with those which it rented in the Tontine, for more than 
half the undergraduates so that the other half and the medical 
students were obliged to find quarters as best they could in pri- 
vate houses, which were generally open to them. To remedy this 
condition the Trustees, at their meeting in January, 1828, voted 
to repair the " College " and the chapel and to erect a new wooden 
building at an expense of $3,000. The oversight of the work 
with authority to make contracts, under the advice, as to form, 
of Ira Perley, was given to a committee consisting of Professors 
Chamberlain and Hale, although nearly all of the burden came 
upon Professor Chamberlain. He had been elected treasurer in 
1826, on the resignation of Judge Farrar to accept the appoint- 
ment of judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and as treasurer, 
in addition to his duties as professor of languages, he was to 
act as financier, and inspector of museum and of college build- 
ings at a salary of $375. 

He did not learn of his appointment as the director of the 
new construction till after the adjournment of the Board, when 
he expressly declined to act, on the ground that his duties were 
too heavy to be performed properly by one man, but after con- 
ferences with several of the trustees, in which they recognized 
the justice of his claims, under the necessities of the situation 
he consented to begin the work. But it was greater than had 
been anticipated. On carefully going over the situation it was 
found that the proposed improvements were entirely inadequate 
to meet the needs of the College. The building committee, 
therefore, acting under the advice of President Tyler and Messrs. 
Marsh and Lord, the prudential committee of the Trustees, 
determined to abandon the proposed scheme and to adopt a 
larger one that had previously been under consideration by the 
Trustees. This was to repair thoroughly and to paint the "Col- 
lege," to put blinds upon it, and to make a large central room in 
it for a chapel in place of the building to be removed, and to erect, 
instead of one wooden building, two buildings of brick, seventy 
feet by fifty and three stories high, to be used as dormitories. 
It was also proposed to define the college yard by erecting a fence 
about it. The estimated expense of the buildings was $12,000, 
and it was to be met by temporary loans, if necessary, but ulti- 
mately by the proceeds of the new subscription. 

A decision having been reached and the plans of the new build- 
ings, made by Captain Ammi B. Young, having been approved, 
Professor Chamberlain threw himself with all his might into the 



222 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

necessary preparations. He spent the remaining part of the win- 
ter and the spring in making arrangement for materials and 
workmen and in securing proposals and making contracts, so 
that early in May the workmen were collected, and so rapidly 
did the work progress under Professor Chamberlain's personal 
and constant supervision that by Commencement the old chapel 
was moved, the ground was leveled and the foundations of the 
new buildings were completed. They were called, when finished, 
Thornton and Wentworth Halls in honor of the early benefactors 
of the College, John Thornton and Gov. John Wentworth. 
They were completed in the summer of 1829, ready for occupancy 
in the fall, but Thornton Hall was erected in the fall of 1828 and 
Wentworth in the ensuing spring. Thornton partly covered 
the site of the old chapel which was removed to give it room. 
The chapel was transferred to the northwest corner of the com- 
mon to the site for many years occupied by the Hubbard House 
and now by the Administration Building, where it was used for 
a time as a vestry by the church, but later it was again moved to 
the northern part of the village and became a barn. 

It began its journey on the loth of May, drawn, as tradition 
says,^ by forty yoke of oxen, and, unless tradesmen's receipts are 
misleading, under circumstances of good cheer, for on that day 
there were delivered to the Trustees of the College through their 
treasurer, who was superintending the work of removal, "i 
Bbl. cider, 17 soft Buisquet, 20 loaves of Bread, 100 Crackers, 21 
lbs. cheese, 6 tumblers, 3 gal. A gin, 3 do. N. Rum, i^ do. molasses," 
which were supplemented on the 12th by two more quarts of 
gin, three of rum and a pint of molasses. ^ That there was some 
carelessness seems to be indicated by a charge made on the loth 
by Dr. Alden of thirty-four cents for two broken quart bottles. 
Similar refreshment was later furnished at the "raising of the 
floors." 

Before the buildings were begun contracts had been made for 
all that was necessary. Benjamin and Nathaniel Hall of Lebanon 
contracted to furnish 390,000 brick of proper quality at $3 a 
thousand, and 5,000 tiles; the underpinning of granite came from 
Church and Ball of Lebanon at 25c. a foot, while John B. Annis 
of Orford delivered on the bank of the Connecticut in Lyme all 
the dressed stone for sills and caps for the windows, and jambs 
and lintels for the doors at 54c. and thresholds at 50c. a foot. 

» Crosby Memorial, p. 28. » Receipts in files of Treasurer. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 22t, 

Hewn sticks of spruce and white pine were bought for $9, and 
hemlock for $5 a thousand. Shingles were $2 a thousand, but 
the price of everything that had to be brought from a distance 
was correspondingly high. Nails cost 7c. a pound, glass, 8 by 
10, cost 8|c. a light, white lead 9§c. to I2\c. a pound and linseed 
oil from 75c. to 85c. a gallon. All this was in Boston and freight 
was $1 a hundred. Labor was abundant and ordinary laborers 
were paid 75c. to $1, and stone and brick masons $1.50 a day. 
The workmen were boarded by Abigail Dewey and Sophia Barton 
for $i.62| a week for a time, and later for $1.75. The contract 
to do the brick work on the two buildings was let May 31, 1828, 
to Willard and Chapin of Windsor, Vt., who offered to lay brick 
for $1.22 a thousand or to do all the brick work on the buildings 
for $567. 

But, notwithstanding all the care of preparation, there was 
delay. The brick furnished were of an inferior quality and were 
not delivered at the time agreed upon. There was a delay also 
in delivering the lime, so that as the winter came on, though the 
first building was erected, the second had not risen above the 
foundations. The difficulty about the bricks was remedied by 
securing a new supply from Thomas Potter of Lebanon, who 
furnished 130,220 brick at $3.83 a thousand. The work of the 
builders was satisfactory, but for some reason the contract with 
Willard and Chapin, who received $487.16 for their work on 
Thornton, was cancelled and on March 23, 1829, a new one for 
the second building was made with Alpheus Baker and Philo 
Sprague of Lebanon, who were to "lay all the brick and stone 
above the underpinning stone thereof, and to make their own 
mortar and stagings and tend themselves," the materials being 
furnished and conveniently delivered by the Trustees, and to 
complete the work before the 20th of June, for $350. The work 
was done promptly and satisfactorily and the contractors further 
did the plastering and setting the hearths in Wentworth Hall for 
$165. 

Work on the alterations and repairs of Dartmouth Hall was 
begun as soon as that on the new buildings. In accordance with 
the plan to devote part of it to a chapel, in place of the building 
removed, a large room was constructed in the center of the edifice 
occupying the entire width, and, by the removal of the second 
story floor, gaining the height of two stories. It was entered 
through a vestibule by a single door in the middle of the western 
front, and the platform and desk were on the east side. Other 



224 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

public rooms were constructed and the building was otherwise 
thoroughly repaired. The rooms remaining for students were 
refitted and those in the middle and lower stories renumbered. 
Four of the largest chimneys, which were considered unsafe, were 
taken down and rebuilt at an expense of $105; the cornice which 
had been left imperfect on the south and east was now completed ; 
the building was painted inside and out with three coats of paint, 
blinds were put on the windows of the front, and to make it more 
perfect the gable of the west front was for the first time made 
alive by the dial of a clock, A new bell of a remarkably sweet 
tone, weighing 720 pounds, the result of a subscription of $250 
raised for the purpose in the village, was hung in the belfry, and 
for nearly forty years, till it cracked in 1867, called the succes- 
sive generations of students to daily prayers and recitations. 
The clock was likewise a gift and came under peculiar circum- 
stances. While the repairs were under way a gentleman wrote 
to Professor Adams saying that he dreamed that a clock would be 
of use to the College, and if it was so, he would be willing to make 
a gift of one. Naturally he was informed that such a gift was 
greatly desired, and in due time he gave the clock which was 
the college time piece till the burning of Dartmouth Hall in 1904, 
though in its later years it was very erratic. After the work on 
the buildings was completed the college yard was graded and sur- 
rounded with a "sufficient fence." 

The expense of the repairs upon Dartmouth Hall was about 
$3,000, which with the cost of the two new buildings brought the 
expenditures for construction and repairs to $16,200, a little 
more than $3,000 above the original estimate, and about $300 
were spent for furniture and stoves.^ All the work was done 
and the buildings were ready for occupancy in October of 1829, 
but the last months had been months of great anxiety. Reliance 
had been placed upon the new subscription to furnish funds for 
the new construction and when, as the summer advanced, the 
subscription was incomplete, the very progress of the work and 
the expected advantage from it seemed the promise of crushing 
disaster. But, happily, the subscription did not fail, the build- 
ings were paid for, the burden of debt was lifted, and a new aspect 
was given to the College. The buildings were for the first time 
insured, Dartmouth for $7,000, and Thornton and Wentworth 
for $6,000. Probably with a view to saving the library it was 

> Reports of the Treasurer for 1829 and the President for 1830. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 225 

voted "to buy a dozen two-bushel baskets to be used in case of 
fire." 

The labor involved in the oversight of the construction of the 
buildings, added to the financial responsibility, was too much 
for the strength of Professor Chamberlain, who had never been 
robust. Consumption followed upon a cold resulting from ex- 
posure and he died July 16, 1830. He had become responsible 
for $250 toward the new subscription, of which he had paid $10, 
but before his death he filed a paper with the Trustees asking 
that his services should count as an offset to his subscription. 
In it he said that with the exception of the help of Capt. Ammi B. 
Young, who had been hired both summers to oversee the carpentry 
work, there had come upon him, in addition to the whole care 
and responsibility of making contracts and settling accounts, 
the devising of ways and means. "In the course of this busi- 
ness," he wrote, "I have obtained and paid out — from loans and 
subscriptions — about five thousand— and from other sources of 
the College, principally old debts, about eleven thousand dollars, 
have kept a register of every separate day's work (joiners excepted), 
have critically examined and paid every account, executed and 
filed receipts and discharges, about 1,400 in number, have kept 
a diary journal and ledger account with the vouchers annexed 
with the whole concern." For clerical assistance and incidental 
expenses he had expended, without charge to the Trustees, $105, 
and he asked that this amount and his services in supervising 
construction might be regarded as balancing his subscription of 
$250, "a sum," said he, "for which no man of business would 
have given up his time and services as I have done for the past 
two years, and which the Trustees could not have hired for twice 
the amount." The Trustees recognized the justice of this re- 
quest and offset the subscription by continuing his salary to the 
end of the year. 

Ira Perley was chosen as treasurer to succeed Professor Cham- 
berlain, and his election, coinciding with the payment of the 
subscription of $30,000 and the increase of the college plant, marks 
the beginning of the modern period of the college treasury. In 
1830 for the first time books were opened on a regular system of 
double entry, and in accordance with the suggestion of President 
Lord a careful inventory was made of the college property, by 
which it appeared that the nominal assets were $85,752.30 and 
the liabilities were $20,562,95, including $5,424.38 borrowed 
from the Charity fund. The lands and buildings, on the basis 



226 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XII. 

of rental value, together with the equipment, including the li- 
brary, apparatus and mineralogical cabinet, estimated at $5,000, 
were rated at $47,762.50. In that year $3,600 were due the Col- 
lege on unpaid rents, and the estimated annual incomewas$6,700, 
and the estimated expenses were $7,300. Thanks to the sub- 
scription a change soon took place, and in 1832-33 for the first 
time in many years the College was free from debt, except that 
to its own funds, which amounted to $4,668, and then first began 
investments on mortgage security. 

There was still, however, a great uncertainty about the income. 
Tuition was $30 a year, but there was always a considerable 
arrearage, and the rents from leases continued to be difficult to 
collect, especially in Wheelock, from which in 1832 only $250 were 
realized. This town, since the tenajits had tasted the sweets 
of freedom from paying rent during the uncertainty of ownership 
in the conflict with the University, had presented a continuous 
series of vexatious delays in the payment of rents. The original 
survey of the town gave to the College as its share, besides several 
small gores, one hundred and fourteen lots of one hundred acres 
each. Of this amount about one thousand acres were deemed 
unfit for use, one hundred and fifty acres were reserved for the 
use of the minister and the school and a considerable part had 
been bought outright, so that in 1823 a little over eight thousand 
acres v/ere under lease with a nominal rental of about $550. 
The amount of rent and capital unpaid with overdue interest at 
that time was $3,891.37. Ejectment for non-payment of rent 
proved unavailing, as tenants, after allov/ing rents to accumu- 
late, gave up the land and had nothing that could satisfy the 
damages awarded against them. The difficulty of collection was 
increased by "speculators who became assignees of large tracts 
of land and underleased it to others for short periods from whom 
they received rent, without paying or intending to pay anything 
to the College, and directing their tenants to surrender the 
premises to the college agent whenever a call should be made for 
rent." ^ 

The disaffection toward the Trustees was shown by the refusal 
of the town to assume any responsibility for the lots reserved for 
the support of the minister and of schools and assigned to the 
town by the Trustees, or to receive the rents arising from them, 
and they were considered as lawful plunder by all living near 
them and stripped of most of their valuable timber. If an appli- 

• Report to Trustees, 1824. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 227 

cant appeared for the lots he was referred by each party to the 
other, but at last the Trustees made a lease assigning the rents to 
the town for the purpose specified and holding them, when paid, 
subject to the order of the town. Before 1823 the Trustees had 
employed an agent in the town to take charge of their affairs, 
but after that year they put them into the hands of the treasurer, 
who made several visits a year to the town to make collections. 
In 1828 he reported that having been able to visit the town but 
once during the year the rents collected were but about half the 
average amount for the four years previous. Matters did not 
mend, and three years later the new treasurer, Mr. Perley, re- 
ported, after a visit to the town, that the Trustees were "princi- 
pally known to that part of the country as distrainers of rent 
and were not entirely free from the odium which usually attaches 
upon that character." He said that the tenants complained that 
the rent was an annual drain of money out of the place which did 
not come back in any shape, that it constituted a perpetual in- 
cumbrance embarrassing the sale and transfer of their property, 
and that as such tenure of land was not common in this country, 
it seemed a kind of servitude and they could hardly look upon 
themselves as free men, as long as they were bound by it, and 
consequently, he said, that they paid the rent less cheerfully as 
it was taken for the support of a foreign institution. He, there- 
fore, recommended that the rents be capitalized and sold out- 
right, as this would encourage the payment of arrearages, and 
also that tenants might be allowed to subdivide their holdings. 

In accordance with these recommendations the Trustees, after 
some delay, took action in 1834 by which tenants, who were not 
in arrears, might within two years extinguish the principal of 
their leases, except for a nominal rent which should not be less 
than one dollar, or might by surrendering their leases, receive new 
leases of portions of the original allotment, running to different 
occupants, provided that the rents of all the portions equalled 
the former rental of the whole, and that no parcel should be leased 
of less quantity than twenty-five acres. Tenants, who were not 
in arrears, were also allowed to surrender their leases and to 
receive new leases of the "pitched land" for the terms of the 
original lease, at proportionate rental, provided they gave by 
surrender, or otherwise, a good title to the "draw land."^ 

> The terms "pitched land" and "draw land" arose from the method of assigning lands 
When the town was opened to settlers it was divided into lots of one hundred acreseach, and three 
lots constituted a "right," which was the smallest amount for which a lease was given. As 
the land throughout the township was not of equal value, it was divided, except about 2,000 acres 



228 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XII. 

But the question of rent was complicated with the question of 
title, raised by parties in Vermont in connection with Moor's 
School, and it was not till October of 1834 that the Trustees, 
after sending Mr. Parker of their own number together with their 
treasurer to Wheelock to examine into the state of affairs there, 
definitely adopted measures looking toward the capitalization 
of rents and the sale of lands in fee simple, and also permitting 
the division of leases with proportionate rents, provided that no 
lease should be given for less than twenty-five acres. 

The interests of Moor's School, involved with those of the Col- 
lege, were of minor importance but were still more confused. 
The College and the School each owned one moiety in Wheelock, 
but though the School had an independent organization yet its 
tenants were only too willing to withhold the payment of their 
rents till the question between the College and the University 
should be decided. The School was in further difificulty over a 
question that arose as to its rights in the Scotch fund, the logical 
sequence of the position taken by the Society in 1771. The 
Scotch fund was confessedly exempt from the jurisdiction of the 

which, "lying on the mountain and remoter skirts of the towTi was left as improper for occu- 
pancy," into two parts. The first was considered the more valuable and comprised about two 
thirds of the township, while the second contained the other and less desirable third. A settler 
was allowed to choose two one-hundred-acre lots in the first part, and this was called his "pitch," 
but the third one hundred acres necessary to complete his ' 'right" he drew by lot from the second 
part, and this was his "draw land," This portion of his right was often remotefromhis"pitched 
land," and an encumbrance rather than a help, as rent was charged upon it as upon the better 
portion and yet cultivation or improvement of it was difficult. The feelings of the settlers were 
expressed in a petition to the Trustees in 1820: 

"We the subscribers for and in behalf of the inhabitants of the town of Wheelock Beg leave 
to Represent to your Honors that in Consequence of the Dispute between you and the State of 
New Ilampshre Respecting the ownership of Dartmouth College the Rents on the Lands In said 
Wheelock have become large and in many Instances the Land is connected with Furriners who 
Dont pay any Rent for it in consequence of its not being of much Value which subjects the In- 
habitants in Wheelock that own lands leased with them to pay the Whole Rents or become Liable 
to lose the whole as in a number of leases the Letters have been sued Subjected to a bill of Costs 
and quit the land, which Now Lays Common the buildings and fences are gone and the farms are 
growing up with bushes which many of these Inhabitants were Industrious working men and 
would have been Able to pay the rents on the land that they owned Could they have been released 
from the other or Draw Lands, So Called for there generally is one third of the Land In a Lease 
Land that was Drawed by a Draught and the Most of that is poor and owed by People in Differ- 
ent parts of the Country and many of the Inhabitants of Wheelock are now connected in that 
way and must be subjected to Bills of Costs and themselves and Families turned out of Doors 
without anything unless your Honors will take the matter into Consideration and grant them 
Repreave in Some way that will Incourrage them that they Can pay Rents for what Lands they 
possefgs] or at least cast of Some of those Draw Lands or say if they will pay for the pitched 
Land that they shall be discharged from the other and give them a reasonable time to settle 
up for money at this time is so Scarce that it is not Possible for them to pay all the back Rents 
and Interest in one Season if you Sue the Whole but we favourably Hope that the Land is not 
what you wish for we believe that what has been forfeited has not been of any use to you and we 
think that it will not unless you will lease it in smaller leases we Cheerfully hope that your Honors 
will take the above under Consideration and Grant Some Relief in Some way as we are in duty 
bound will ever pray." 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 229 

College Trustees. It was expressly excluded from the operation 
of the charter of 1807, and President John Wheelock claimed to 
control its expenditure in his own right as the proprietor, under 
the will of his father, of Dr. Wheelock's Indian Charity School, 
and at his death bequeathed it to the President of Dartmouth 
University. The Society was disinclined to accept that view and 
in March, 1817, recommended the dismissal of the four Indians 
then on the fund until the controversy should be determined. 
They were accordingly sent home, and we hear of no others till 
President Tyler's time, but the School, which since 181 1 had been 
under the care of Mr. Joseph Perry, as Preceptor by appointment 
of President Wheelock, continued under his charge till 1818 with 
the tacit acquiescence of President Brown. In August of that 
year the Trustees advised President Brown to appoint a master, 
and Mr. William Chamberlain was employed. 

At the death of President Wheelock the School came to his 
successor burdened with a debt of about $1,200 and charged with 
an annual salary of $200 to the President for the time being and 
of $150 to the Preceptor. For several years after taking office 
President Wheelock made no charge for his services in conducting 
the School, but in 1805 he secured a certificate, signed by several 
of the Trustees of the College acting as a committee of examina- 
tion, that the President was entitled to $200 a year for his services, 
and from then on that sum continued to be the salary of the Presi- 
dent of the School till the election of President Smith in 1863. 
By reason of the withholding of the rents by tenants in Wheelock 
the debt of the School increased and could not be reduced while 
the School was in operation. It was, therefore, suspended on 
the advice of the Trustees in 1829 by President Lord, who found 
on his coming a debt of nearly $1,300, "a building dilapidated 
and ruinous, insufficient for its purposes, and unworthy of repair, 
the School without available resources and wholly insolvent for 
the time being. "^ 

In November of 183 1, in order to simplify the administration of 
matters in Wheelock as well as to apply more effectively whatever 
returns might come from there, it was, with the consent of the 
President, proposed by the Trustees to the legislature of Vermont 
to transfer to the College all the interests of the School in Wheel- 
ock on the assumption by the College of all the obligations of the 
School. Mr. Charles Marsh attended the session of the legis- 
lature at Montpelier in support of the petition and secured favor- 

' Letter of President Lord to Trustees, 1864. 



230 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

able action from the Assembly, but the Council refused to concur,* 
on the ground that the lands granted to the School might be 
forfeited to the State through no?i-user, and that it would not 
then be wise to grant them to an institution outside the State. 
Under the authority of a resolution passed by the House in con- 
currence with the Council the Governor appointed, as an agent to 
investigate the question of forfeiture. Judge Asa Aikens of Wind- 
sor, who made a long report in October, 1832,^ in which, after 
reviewing the history of the School and the circumstances of the 
grant, he concluded that "no legal cause of forfeiture had oc- 
curred," and that the interest of the College, the School and the 
academies in that part of Vermont would be furthered by the 
transfer of the grant to the College. The Assembly immediately 
passed an act in conformity with the report, but the Council again 
failed to concur, and in the following year united with the Assem- 
bly in passing a resolution for the appointment of an agent to bring 
a suit-at-lawor in chancery for the recovery of the lands inWheel- 
ock belonging to Moor's School.^ Nothing being done, the propo- 
sition was renewed two years later, but the title was too secure 
to be disturbed and the agitation came to an end by 1837. 

As would be expected the uncertainty of legislation but in- 
tensified the trouble with the tenants, and more suits for non- 
payment of rent were instituted and contested, and in course of 
time again decided in favor of the School. The continued sus- 
pension of instruction having in the meantime an unfavorable 
influence, the President was, in 1834, advised by the Board to 
employ an instructor and reopen the School, but the advice was 
not acted upon until after the final decision of the court in 1837. 
It was not possible to occupy the old building, which by that 
time was past recovery, and as, in consequence of the decision in 
the suits, a considerable amount of back rents had been received, 
it was determined to erect a new one. The old building was ac- 
cordingly sold and moved away and a new one of brick, which was 
long known as the "Academy," was erected, and in the same year 
(1837) the School was reopened after a suspension of nine years. 
The cost of the building, about $3,500, was greater than after- 
ward seemed expedient, as it was not then sufficiently understood 
how nearly impossible it was that such a school could be supported 
without large funds under the shadow of a college, where the ex- 

' Vt. H. J., 1831, p. 139; Vermont Governor and Council, Vol. VIII, p. 41. 
»Vt. H. J.,pp. 183-189. 
»Vt. H., J. 1833, p. 186. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 231 

pense to other than boys from the vicinity must necessarily exceed 
what was usual in the other neighboring academies. 

President Lord attempted to secure Indian pupils, visiting St. 
Francis and Lorette, near Quebec, for that purpose with but little 
success,^ and after twelve years of financial loss the School was 
suspended in 1849, it having become clear that it could receive few 
or no students from abroad, that the expense of supporting it for 
the mere accommodation of a few families of the village could not 
be justified, and that instruction for the few Indians who came 
could be secured more efficiently and more economically by other 
means. At that time the old debt had increased to more than $2,- 
500, which for many years was carried by loans from different par- 
ties on the personal indorsement of President Lord in addition to 
his obligation as President of the School. To aid in the payment 
of the debt the Academy building was rented in 1852 for $175 a 
year to the Visitors of the then recently organized Chandler 
School and by this rental, with the receipts from Wheelock, the 
debt was greatly reduced at the time of the resignation of Presi- 
dent Lord and was due wholly to him, as on the demand of the 
creditors for their money, in the lack of available funds of the 
School, he had met the demands from his private means. 

The Academy building, proving too small for the use of the 
Chandler School, was remodelled and enlarged in 1871, partly 
from the funds of the Academy but partly by contributions for 
that purpose from the friends of the Chandler School, and has since 
been known as the Chandler Building. It underwent a second 
enlargement in 1898 made possible by the bequest of over $28,000 
by Frank W. Daniels of the class of 1868, and since that time has 
been devoted to the use of the department of mathematics and 
graphics. The accumulation of the funds after the payment of 
the debt allowed, after 1893, the employment of a preceptor, 
in accordance with the terms of the foundation, in connection 
with the village high school. The original object of aid to Indian 
youth was, however, never lost sight of, and during nearly all 
the time, either in the College, or in the village school, or in 
neighboring schools, or at times under private instructors, Indian 
boys were aided toward an education by the funds of Moor's 
School. The question of transferring these funds to the College 
as a means of greater usefulness, which was presented to the 
legislature of Vermont in 1831 and negative ' by them as far as 
Wheelock was concerned, was also presented to the Scotch Board 

» Letter to the Scotch Board, April 30. 1838. 



232 History of Darimouth College. [Chap. xil. 

with a like result. This fact, as well as the condition of the School, 
was brought out in a letter to the Trustees written by President 
Lord after his resignation, under date of July 20, 1864: 

But it may be well for me to state that the Corporation designated and 
known by the Charter as "The President of Moor's Charity School," has never 
ceased to be vital and active during my administration. For, although the 
School, as to an order of public instruction, was suspended while the tenants 
held their rents in abeyance, and afterward, as at present, it has been in con- 
stant operation, and has so claimed successfully in a controversy with the 
Legislature of Vermont, as far forth as it is an Indian Charity School. There 
has been little or no time when I have not had more or fewer Indian youth under 
my care as Pres». of the School, and procured instruction for them accordingly 
under accredited teachers, or when I have not maintained communication, 
directly or through their Board of Commissioners at Boston, with the Society 
in Scotland for the Propagation of the Gospel, and been recognized by them as 
carrying out satisfactorily its design. When the Academy building was 
rented to the Visitors of the Chandler School it was with the distinct under- 
standing that the teachers of that School should be also the teachers of any 
Indians that I should see fit officially to put under them as Pres'. of Moor's 
Indian School, and that such pupils should be chargeable for tuition only at 
the rates which had been always ordered when the School had been opened to 
the public. 

I have held that Moor's Indian Charity School cannot cease while the Cor- 
poration known as the President of that School exists and exercises the respon- 
sible care of Indians in a course of instruction at Hanover under such teachers 
as he may appoint. 

As to the usefulness of maintaining this Indian Charity or any School at 
Hanover in connection with it as compared with the benefit of having the 
Scotch Fund and the School Rents at Wheelock appropriated to the general 
use of the College, I have long had serious doubts. But during this generation 
it would be impossible so to impress the Society in Scotland, or the Legislature 
of Vermont. Before experience, many years ago, I expressed these doubts to 
the Society in Scotland. The consequence was that a delegation of two 
distinguished officers of that Society came immediately to this country to see 
if there were not some Jesuitical design to misappropriate the Indian fund, 
or otherwise frustrate the purpose of its donors. I was able to satisfy them 
fully in that respect, but not to persuade them that the objects of their charity 
were not paramount, or that its original intention was not simply the advance- 
ment of the College. Of course I did not hesitate to use afterward the proceeds 
of the fund for the end which larger experience has still more led me to judge of 
comparatively little and doubtful benefit, viz. the education of Indians at 
Hanover. And so of the Wheelock grant: Vermont would be likely to move 
for its revocation if asked to consent to any application of it to the general 
uses of the College. However important a different direction of the School 
property may seem, time only can effect it. 

It took a little less than fifty years from the time of writing 
this letter to bring about the change in the attitude of the Ver- 
mont legislature desired by President Lord. In the spring of 1912 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 233 

the Trustees of the College, having considered the possibility of 
making the property of the Moor's School more serviceable than 
it had been for a long time by its transfer to the College, ap- 
pointed a committee, consisting of Messrs. Powers, Chase and 
Mathewson, to see how it could be brought about. 

This committee reported at a meeting of the Trustees on March 
7, 1913, that in view of the grant of lands in Wheelock that had 
been made by the State of Vermont jointly to the School and the 
College, it had seemed advisable to secure the consent of that 
State to the dissolution of the School and the transfer of its inter- 
ests to the College. Accordingly an act in the shape of a joint 
resolution of the two houses of the legislature giving the desired 
consent had been prepared and introduced at the winter session 
of the legislature. The resolution had passed both houses and 
had received the approval of the Governor under date of February 

5, 1913- 

On receiving this report the Trustees, acting as Trustees of 
Moor's School, took the following action: 

Whereas the necessity and expediency of maintaining Moor's Charity 
School have long since ceased, and consequently the reason for longer con- 
tinuing the existence of the corporation known as The President of Moor's 
Charity School, incorported in the year 1807 by the legislature of the state of 
New Hampshire, has also ceased; and 

Whereas the said corporation now owns an undivided half interest in lands 
in the town of Wheelock and State of Vermont, by virtue of the grant to it 
and the Trustees of Dartmouth College by the State of Vermont of the town- 
ship of Wheelock, on the 14th day of June, 1785, and also certain funds derived 
from leases and sales of said lands heretofore made and from income accruing 
thereon, the same constituting the entire property now belonging to the said 
corporation; and 

Wheress the legislature of the State of Vermont, by a joint resolution 
approved February 5, 1913, gave the consent of said State to the transfer of all 
the real and personal estate of every kind now belonging to the corporation 
known as The President of Moor's Charity School, from said corporation to 
the Trustees of Dartmouth College, to be hereafter held for their exclusive 
use, and also consented to the dissolution of said corporation; and 

Whereas .he charitable purposes for the promotion of which the corporation 
known as the Trustees of Dartmouth College was incorporated, are closely 
related to the charitable purposes for the promotion of which the corporation 
of The President of Moor's Charity School was created: — 

Therefore, Resolved, 

I. That the corporation known as The President of Moor's Charity School 
convey by a good and sufficient deed or deeds, all its property of every kind and 



234 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XII. 

description wherever situated to the Trustees of Dartmouth College to be 
thereafter held by them and their successors for their exclusive use. 

2. That this corporation be dissolved after completing the transfer of its 
property to the Trustees of Dartmouth College as aforesaid. 

To give legal effect to the above votes in the dissolution of the 
School and the conveyance of its property to the Trustees of the 
College, Messrs. Mathewson and Chase were appointed a com- 
mittee for such proceedings in court as might be necessary. 
Perhaps before this volume shall appear Moor's School will have 
closed its corporate existence. 

But other interests than the financial called for the attention 
of the new administration. Within its opening year three 
vacancies occurred in the Board of Trust, and all among its 
older members. Moses P. Payson, who came into the Board in 
the thick of the contest with the University, died in the fall of 
1828 and Ezekiel Webster in the following spring, while in the 
summer of 1829 Elijah Paine, one of the original "Octagon," 
owing to the infirmities of age, resigned. Their places were 
taken by Samuel Hubbard, a lawyer of Boston, William Hall, 
a merchant of Rockingham, Vt., and George Sullivan of Exeter, 
one of the former counsel for the University, whose election 
clearly indicated the restoration of good feeling in the State. 
Of these three Mr. Hubbard retained his connection with the 
Board for nearly twenty years, but Mr. Hall died in 1831 and was 
succeeded by John Aiken, a lawyer of Manchester, Vt., and Mr. 
Sullivan, resigning, was succeeded by William Reed, a merchant 
of Marblehead, Mass., in 1834, in which year also Rev. Z. S. 
Barstow of Keene, N. H., was chosen in place of Dr. Tyler. 
Many changes followed in quick succession so that by 1845 Charles 
Marsh was the only one remaining who was a member of the 
Board on the accession of Dr. Lord, and his death occurring in 
1849 removed the last member of that powerful group that had 
carried the College through the great struggle with the State. 
To him more than to any other member of the Board was due the 
successful result of that struggle, as both from his ability and his 
nearness to the College he was the foremost adviser of the then 
college officers. 

Changes in the Faculty equalled those in the Board of Trust. 
On the death of Professor Chamberlain the chair of Greek and 
Latin, after being informally offered to Theodore D. Woolsey, 
later the eminent President of Yale College, was taken by the 
Rev. Calvin E. Stowe. On his resignation in 1833 Alpheus Crosby 
who had been tutor from 1828 to 1831, was recalled as full pro- 



1 828-1 863-] Admmistration of President Lord. 235 

fessor, but the duties of the chair becoming too heavy for one 
man, the chair was divided in 1837, when Professor Crosby kept 
the Greek, and Edwin D. Sanborn, who was tutor in 1835 and 
then had been made an associate in the department in 1836, 
became professor of latin. In 1833 Professor Adams, who had 
borne so long the heavy burden of instruction and temporary 
administration, gave up the active duties of his professorship to 
his son-in-law, Ira Young, and became professor emeritus. 
Professor George Howe, who had succeeded Professor Shurtleff 
in the chair of Divinity soon found, as he had feared, that his 
strength was not equal to the demands upon it, and he resigned 
in 1830. But as he was unable to preach for nearly a year before 
his resignation the labor of supplying the pulpit fell almost wholly 
upon the President, till it became apparent that neither his 
strength nor the demand of other duties would allow him to con- 
tinue that service. It was also evident that the difficulties con- 
nected with the system of uniting a college officer and a village 
pastor in one person were too great to be overcome; a sacrifice 
of both relations occurred. To separate the College and the 
village would be to the disadvantage of both, and, as the Presi- 
dent said in his report of that year, would "make the village a 
scene of sectarian warfare, neutralize and destroy the proper in- 
fluence of the College over it as a Christian institution, and 
perpetuate vexatious feuds and contentions to the common 
injur>' and disgrace." 

To prevent such a result the President devised a plan whereby 
the College should attend the ministrations of the village pastor, 
and not, as heretofore, the village share by sufferance the preach- 
ing of the professor of divinity. He organized in 1830 the Dart- 
mouth Religious Society, composed of members of the Faculty, 
the church and the community, for the support of a common 
pastor. This organization was to unite with the church in the 
call of a pastor, was to be responsible for his salary, toward which 
the College was asked to contribute $300, at that time three 
sevenths of the pastor's salary. In return for this contribution 
the students were to attend the services of the church and to 
have seats provided without further charge to the Trustees, but 
as some difficulty still continued about the seats the Trustees in 
1835, in connection with plans of general improvement in the 
meeting house, directed the purchase of pews by the College 
and their division into slips. This plan was to the mutual ad- 
vantage of church and College, as by it the church assumed its 



236 History of Dartmouth College. (Chap. xil. 

rightful relation to its pastor and gained a position of dignity 
in relation to the College which it had hitherto lacked, while 
the College secured all the benefits, as far as the services of the 
church were concerned, which it had had before, and saved a little 
more than half of the salary which it had paid to the professor of 
divinity. With minor changes, relating especially to the amount 
of the contribution of the College, this arrangement has continued 
substantially in good working order to the present day. 

The new administration had other difficulties to meet than those 
which came from appointments. It was put to the test on the 
side of discipline, as is almost always the case with a new execu- 
tive. The relaxation of discipline incident to a change in the 
presidency, and especially in the interval before the coming of 
the new president, the excitement connected with the removal 
to the new dormitories, and the unaccustomed opportunities for 
intercourse between the students, "led to various irregularities 
and disturbances which the ordinary influences of authority could 
not prevent." During the spring term several of the worst 
offenders were severely dealt with, and only the resolute atti- 
tude of the administration, aided by the timely coming of a 
vacation, checked a general outbreak. William H. Duncan, 
of the class of 1830, referring in later years to the threatened 
rebellion of the College, said: "Some will recollect the electric 
effect of a speech of Dr. Lord's to the students who were moved 
to rebel. They had threatened to leave college en masse (as they 
often do if their wishes are not complied with). One sentence 
from Dr. Lord went like a loaded shell into their ranks. It was 
this: 'Go, young gentlemen, if you wish; we can bear to see our 
seats vacated, but not our laws violated.' This was said with 
such regal decision and dignity that no man of those classes 
spoke of deserting the college." ^ As often happens, a season of 
disturbance was followed by one of corresponding calm, and the 
next term was reported by the President as "one of uncommon 
stillness and sobriety and decorum," with a decided turn in the 
thoughts of the students to serious things. 

But permanent good order was not secured, and in the spring 
of 1832 another rebellion broke out in the freshman class. The 
stove in their recitation room smoked and after ineffectual com- 
plaints the class threw it into the river, and all were suspended 
until they apologized. They protested in a round-robin, but met 
the conditions and were restored, yet they cherished so joyous a 

' Boston Journal, September ii, 1870. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 237 

memory of their rebellion that they celebrated its anniversary 
in the following year with such riotous demonstrations that one 
of their number was temporarily removed from college. One of 
the class, Reuben Peaslee of Plaistow, gave to the affair a humor- 
ous turn by a poster giving a description of it in verse. Another 
college disturbance is shown by the following extract from a 
student's letter.^ 

We have had rather squally times here this term. The difficulties arose in 
and have been chiefly confined to the Sophomore class. They were assembled 
at a student's room and made some noise, and one of the Tutors went in rather 
abruptly and imprudently ordered silence &c, when some of them insulted him. 
For this two were suspended for three months. At this some of the class were 
much offended, and on the night following some individuals took a large cannon 
from the gun house in this village, drew it up near the college building about 
under the oflfending tutor's window, and fired it with such tremendous charge 
as to break about three hundred and twenty squares of glass from the college 
buildings. It jarred the houses in most distant parts of the village, was heard 
several miles distant and supposed to be an earthquake. The rogues soon 
returned but the Faculty were on the alert immediately, went to the students' 
rooms to see whose shoes were wet (for it had rained some) and tried some into 
the tracks where they drew up and fired the cannon, and found the boots of 
one to fit some of the tracks. With this and some little other evidence they 
[sic] faculty expelled him. They could not detect any others. At a meeting 
of the students upon case of the expelled one a classmate of [sic] made a speech 
so outrageous against the Faculty that they dismissed him for a year, but after 
he had made a very humble acknowledgement they received him back. All 
quiet now. 

The restless activities of the students sometimes found means 
of expression that were not so objectionable, even if violent. 
In 1833 at the southern end of the village, on the brow of Negro 
hill, was a house known as the "Seven Nations." It acquired 
the name from the motley character of its inhabitants, for it 
was used as a tenement and was uniformly occupied by rough 
characters and families of unsavory reputation. It fell into a 
very dilapidated condition, which made it an eyesore to the 
community, and the character of its tenants, who were often 
disorderly, made it a public nuisance. It was owned by Col. 
Brewster who indicated to the students, perhaps in response to 
a request, that he would be glad to have it torn down. Acting 
on the suggestion they proceeded one night in a body to the 
house, expelled the tenants and razed the building to the ground. 

1 Extract from a letter of Solomon Laws of the class of 1836, written two weeks before his 
graduation to his brother, Nathaniel F. Laws of Peterborough, N. H. For the oflFence which 
he describes one student was publicly expelled, the Faculty expressing the hope that this 
"penalty would be sufficient to maintain the authority of the laws." 



238 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XII- 

The depression of ihe cellar was never fully leveled and may 
still be seen on the left of the road descending toward Mink 
brook. 

Amid the pressure of questions of restricted finances, of im- 
perilled title to property, of new construction and of discipline, 
the consideration of the scholarly interests of the College was 
not lost sight of. The vital importance in which they were 
held was shown in the report of the President in 1833, who 
declared his conviction, 

"That it is becoming more and more important to provide for the highest 
possible advantages of instruction in the college, for the most efficient and 
faithful administration. Any failure in these respects may soon turn the 
current of popular opinion unfavorably to its reputation and advancement. 
The college is already under the disadvantage of reproach as being solely 
controlled by alleged sectarian influences, but few public men have any con- 
cern in its affairs, many ol the most considerable among the professional 
classes of the State were educated at other Institutions and their attachments 
have never been transferred; it has no patronage of wealth and power and 
stands unfavorably in all these respects to meet the spirit of competition which 
is so manifestly impelling other kindred institutions of the country, so that 
any defectiveness in its interior organization, or any unequal working of its 
departments . . . may occasion material and permanent loss, which 
can in no wise be prevented except by keeping the college in the best possible 
attitude and in the highest credit to which it can fairly be entitled. 

To ascertain whether the most was being secured with exist- 
ing resources the President was requested in 1829 to prepare 
an exhibit of the work done by the several classes and by each 
member of the Faculty. The schedule which he presented ^ 
showed that at least on paper the College had no occasion to be 
ashamed of the diligence of its students. The freshman class, 
for instance, in addition to the biblical exercise on Sunday had 
sixteen exercises a week, in which in the course of the year it 
was able to read five books of Livy, supplemented by Roman 
antiquities taught by subjects, the odes, carmen saeculare, a 
book and a half of the satires, eleven epistles and the ars poetica 
of Horace; in the Graeca Maiora portions of Herodotus, of the 
Anabasis and the Cyropaedia of Xenophon, of Theophrastus, 
Polyaenus, Aelianus and Homer, and all this was attended with 
written translations and metrical exercises. Arithmetic was 
reviewed in twenty exercises under the professor of intellectual 
philosophy and political economy, algebra was given an exercise 
a day for two terms, while in rhetoric Porter's Analysis was 

' President's Report, 1830. 



1 828-1 863.] Administration of President Lord. 239 

studied for twenty exercises, and thirty-five exercises were 
given to compositions and an equal number to reading and 
declamation. The schedules of the junior and sophomore classes 
were nearly if not quite as full, the senior only being somewhat 
lighter. That English composition was more than a name is 
indicated by the report of the professor of rhetoric, who stated 
that during the year he had examined 1,472 compositions, had 
heard 124 dissertations and declamations, and besides rehearsals 
had listened to fifty performances for exhibitions and Commence- 
ment. 

In presenting to the Board this statement of work, so abundant 
from the side of the student, the President felt called upon to 
offer excuse for the Faculty. "It will probably be thought," 
said he, "that the several instructors perform but a small and 
inadequate amount of daily service. It is, however, to be con- 
sidered that the preparation for college exercises, the hearing 
of private recitations, and the necessarily frequent meetings 
of the Faculty occupy no small portion of time, and that some 
of these duties are exceedingly vexatious and oppressive, far 
more so than I have been prepared to expect, or than any in- 
dividual unaccustomed to the service can well conceive." Yet 
the Faculty, he went on to say, was about to form a new arrange- 
ment of studies which would increase the amount of instruction 
and other labor and contribute to raise the character of their 
several departments. 

But notwithstanding the apparent diligence of the students, in 
which the President believed "the College came behind no 
other," he still thought that there was "to the mass of the 
students an immense waste of time, an evil inherent in the whole 
system of college instruction, arising from the want of more 
thorough instruction, and the insufficient stimulus now afforded 
by mock examinations and the demoralizing influence of the 
System of encouragements and rewards." He, therefore, pro- 
posed a S}'stem of examinations that should be a terror to the 
lazy and inefficient and a stimulus to the diligent. Three 
or four weeks of the summer term were to be set apart exclusively 
for examinations which were to be conducted, in the presence of 
intelligent committees from abroad, in such a way as to task 
the powers of every student and "to exhibit the results of all 
the studies of his course." It is not surprising that the Board 
hesitated to adopt the recommendation in so heroic a form, 
but it did consent to the principle and, in place of the semi- 



240 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. Xll. 

annual examinations of one day for each class heretofore existing, 
established annual examinations extending over "two weeks 
or more," and authorized the Faculty to appoint a committee 
which at the close of the examination should report on the merit 
of each student with a recommendation that he be advanced 
or degraded. 

The experience of a single year was sufficient to show that 
two weeks were not needed for the examinations, and in 1832 
the time was cut down to "not less than ten days." Four ses- 
sions were held on each of the ten days. The seniors and fresh- 
men stood the brunt of the examinations, twelve sessions being 
assigned to the seniors, of which the moral department had six, 
the physical two, the classical three, and the rhetorical one, 
while the juniors were finished in seven sessions, the sopho- 
mores in ten and the freshmen in eleven. Longer trial proved 
that the system was not productive of the results desired and 
after a reasonable time a return was had in 1845 to the method 
of two examinations, one at the end of the fall term and one 
just before Commencement, a method which, with some varia- 
tions corresponding to varying arrangement of terms, has continued 
to the present. The examinations were all oral and so continued 
till 1874 when written examinations were introduced, but the 
public oral examination at the end of the year in the presence of 
a committee, on which in later years a member of the Board of 
Trust was expected to sit and sometimes found it convenient 
to do so, was continued till 1893. 

The "examining committee," as it was called, was continued 
till the same date, but was steadily shorn of authority. Instead 
of a recommendation that a student be advanced or degraded 
it was soon asked merely for an opinion as to his merits, and 
the Faculty was allowed to give such weight to the opinion as 
it saw fit, and even to ignore it altogether. The examiners 
were usually taken from ministers of New Hampshire or Vermont, 
and, as the college course broadened, it became increasingly 
difficult to secure men who were competent to give a discriminat- 
ing judgment upon the subjects presented. Examiners, who, 
though besought "to ask questions," sat through successive 
examinations without apparent knowledge of a subject, or ex- 
hibited total ignorance of it, as when one examiner in German 
held his book upside down during the whole exercise, brought 
discredit upon the system and became themselves objects of 
ridicule. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 241 

The attempt to improve the scholarship of the College was 
supported by the enlargement of the means of instruction. In 
1 83 1 $1,000 were devoted to the purchase in London of books 
for the library, and in the next year $400 were added for books 
published in America. In 1833, $1,000 were spent in enlarging 
the physical apparatus, and $200 were voted for the purchase 
of a cabinet of minerals, but the latter expenditure was delayed. 
The improvement of the outward appearance of the College 
by the erection of the new buildings and the fencing of the college 
yard was so marked that it brought the desire for further im- 
provement and led in 1831 to the leveling of the common, and 
a few years later, in 1836, to its fencing. In 1832 the graduating 
class was brought into closer touch by being admitted for the 
first time to the Commencement dinner, but the expense thereby 
incurred was met by the charge of eight cents upon the quarter 
bills of each student. 

By the rearrangement of the course of study in 1 830 the after- 
noon recitation hitherto largely a matter of form was made 
compulsory and substantial, and a system was introduced of 
marking scholarship on a scale of i to 5, of which i was the 
highest mark. In this arrangement the importance of providing 
instruction in modern languages was seriously felt. Though no 
such instruction had been provided by the College the students 
had found means to secure it, and two years before the Faculty 
had allowed seniors to substitute a recitation in French for 
their afternoon exercise in Greek or Latin. In 1830 students 
of the two upper classes secured a Mr. Ely, who had resided in 
France, to give instruction in French, and in the following year 
the President reported that twelve weeks' instruction in French 
had been given to nearly all the members of the College by a 
Mr. Linberg, "a gentleman of highly respectable qualifications," 
and that the College had paid about fioo toward his compensa- 
tion. He clearly saw that so small an appropriation would not 
long be satisfactory to the students, particularly in view of the 
fact that at almost every other college in New England instruction 
was given in modern languages as a thing of course, and he 
recommended the consideration of the appointment of a professor 
of modern languages. 

The Board had just found it "inexpedient to appoint a pro- 
fessor of chirography," and while they were more ready to ap- 
point a professor of modern languages, yet, though the matter 
was brought to their attention year after year and they appointed 



242 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

a committee to consider ways and means for so doing, and, 
indeed, announced in the catalogue that they had made "ar- 
rangements for regular and permanent instruction in Modern 
Languages," they could not make an appointment. The result 
was that other teachers followed Mr. Linberg in a similar capac- 
ity and that optional instruction in French was furnished quite 
regularly, but not recognized in the catalogue as a subject of 
study till 1 85 1. For the next two years there was an instructor 
in modern languages, but a permanent appointment was not 
made till i860, and since that time those languages have received 
their full share of attention. 

Perhaps the most important change of the time was in the 
matter of college honors. Besides the grand anniversary of 
Commencement there had been observed from early times 
three other public exhibitions of original oratory by the three 
upper classes, that for the seniors taking place in November, 
that for the juniors in March and that for the sophmores in 
May. Each term thus witnessed one of them, which with the 
Commencement marked off the year into four nearly equal 
periods and were hence called "quarter days." Before the 
introduction of the marking system distinctions in scholarship 
were indicated only by assignment of parts for these occasions. 
They naturally fostered a spirit of rivalry that gave rise to 
violent excitements and jealousies and to endless trouble, which 
for some years prior to 1832 the Faculty attempted to ameliorate 
by inviting from the classes a preliminary vote upon the rank 
of their members. The sophomore quarter day, last observed 
in May, 1823, was especially troublesome, partly because the 
burden of the appointments always rested upon one of the 
younger members of the Faculty, the sophomore tutor, and it 
was, therefore, the first to be discontinued, and the day ap- 
propriated to the juniors. President Lord was soon convinced 
that the system of honors as then administered was productive 
only of evil, and in 1830 urged the abolition of the remaining 
quarter days, so that "the honors of college should be gathered 
only once — at the time of graduation," thus destroying the 
"rivalry and competition coming from invidious appointments 
for exhibitions of questionable utility." This was accordingly 
decreed in 1832. But the Commencement honors were in fact 
no less objectionable, and in October, 1834, at the solicitation 
of the President, supplemented by a petition of a large majority 
of the students, to whom he had persuasively presented the 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 243 

subject, it was decided that all college distinctions on that occasion 
likewise should be entirely abolished. The annual contest for 
prizes in declamation that had been held on the day after Com- 
mencement by the two upper classes was also discarded in 1839 
in obedience to the same rule. 

Subject to the principle of equality it was left to the Faculty 
to arrange the exercises at their discretion. For the next four 
years, 1835 to 1838 inclusive, parts were assigned to the entire 
class, numbering from 35 to 61, and the whole day was consumed 
in listening to their efforts. The burden of this was intolerable 
to all parties, and tended to make the occasion ridiculous. As 
the classes increased in numbers the plan became simply impossi- 
ble of execution. The Trustees expressed a willingness to extend 
the exercises over two days, if ^ecessary, but relief was first 
sought by excusing many from actual performance, and in 1839, 
by resort to the lot, no other method suggesting itself that would 
at the same time check the torrent of eloquence and preserve 
the impartiality which the rule demanded. But the effect upon 
the appearance and reputation of the rhetorical department 
can well be imagined. Aside from the President and one or 
two others, the Faculty had not fully favored the new system, 
and upon the accession in 1840 of Professor Brown as the new 
head of the department of rhetoric a strenuous effort was made 
by the Faculty for its modification, but they were not able to 
carry their point against the President and one professor who 
stood against the modification. It is true that after a while 
means were found to evade the stringency of the system by 
allowing the poorer scholars, on whom the lot had fallen, to 
resign and to select as their substitutes such as would perform 
their parts with credit. 

At the annual meeting of the Trustees in 1834 the college 
year was rearranged with special reference to the convenience 
of the students who were absent from Hanover in the winter 
for the purpose of teaching. Commencement day was brought 
back from the last Wednesday but one of August to the last 
Wednesday of July, and the opening of the fall term, following 
a vacation of four weeks, from the latter part of September to 
the last of August. The term was made to close about the 25th 
of November instead of the last of December, and the former 
winter vacation of six and a half weeks, which had always been 
the longest of the year out of regard to the severity of the winter 
and the consequent expense of residence, was extended to fourteen 



244 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XII- 

weeks for those students who were engaged in teaching, and to 
seven weeks for others. Teachers were thus allowed to be absent 
for three months, the ordinary length of a winter's school, with- 
out interrupting the regular course of study, while the students 
who did not teach returned to Hanover for a "short term," 
as it was called, in which the studies were arranged without 
reference to the other parts of the college course. At first fresh- 
men and sophomores, and juniors and seniors recited together, 
but later all recited together in two or three subjects which 
were assigned, or which they selected from several offered for their 
choice. At the end of the short term the teachers, having fin- 
ished their schools, returned, and the college as a whole took up 
again the regular subjects after an interval of fourteen weeks. 

The teachers had nothing "to make up, " while those who stayed 
in Hanover had, as the catalogue stated, "a gain of an additional 
course of study." The list of subjects for the winter term, first 
given in the catalogue of 1837, included philosophy of the moral 
feelings, commentary on American law, physical geography, 
Quintilian and French exercises. The next year rhetoric, mete- 
orology, modern history and Xenophon's Memorabilia were 
offered. As a rule two, but sometimes three, members of the 
Faculty were detailed to teach in the short term, though at other 
times they were selected by lot, and as they served in turn the 
short term was for the majority a long winter vacation, which 
was greatly valued. 

This arrangement of terms continued practically unchanged 
for thirty years, for though from 1840 to 1846 the expression 
"winter term" was omitted from the catalogue, the statement 
was continued that students whose circumstances required them 
to teach in the winter would be allowed an absence of fourteen 
weeks. The elimination of the "short term" and the establish- 
ment of a continuous course of study covering three terms took 
place in 1866. Students were still excused to teach, but were 
obliged to make up on their return the work pursued by their 
classes during their absence. The labor involved in this making 
up tended to diminish absence, and at the same time the numbers 
that engaged in teaching were lessened by the gradual change 
that took place in the schools. The establishment of high schools 
and the increased amount of schooling given even in rural com- 
munities called for a more continuous service than could be given 
by a teacher engaged only for a term, and this fact, together with 
the crowding of women into the work of teaching, diminished 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 245 

the number of schools that called for student teachers in the 
winter. But for several decades Dartmouth was really a teacher's 
college, and every winter a large majority of the students taught 
in the district schools of Vermont, New Hampshire and eastern 
Massachusetts, especially in those on "the Cape," being sought 
by school committees not merely for their ability to impart 
knowledge but for their physical prowess by which they were 
able to hold in check scholars whose main object in going to 
school was "to throw the teacher out." 

The scanty records of the Faculty between 1835 and 1865 do 
not enable us to determine exactly how many students went out 
each year to teach. All who wished to do so were excused and 
many found other reasons for avoiding attendance during the 
short term, so that generally not more than perhaps thirty per 
cent of the students were present during the winter. In course 
of time it began to be used as an argument against the College 
that its course was really shorter than that of other colleges, 
and it was partly to avoid this imputation that the short term 
was abolished and the course of study made continuous.^ 

Returning teachers brought back with them the money which 
enabled them to meet their college. expenses and also experiences 
that were both valuable and interesting. Most of them taught 
in schools where "boarding round" was the regular practice 
and the teacher went from family to family according to a defi- 
nite system determined by the number of children going to school, 
and as each family usually kept the annual killing of the pig 
till the coming of the teacher his customary meat diet through 
the term was fresh pork and sausage. It was no uncommon 
thing for a student to break his own road through the snow 
drifts to the school house and to build the fires. The conditions 
of his work were primitive and the subjects which he taught 

> In the winter of 1853-1854. according to some statistics on file in the Treasurer's office, 
107 students engaged in teaching, 31 seniors, 23 juniors, 31 sophomores and 31 freshmen, whose 
combined earnings were $9,016.00. 

The Aegis for July, 1861, contains a statement as to the students engaged in teaching during 
the year 1860-1861, from which it appears that out of the 27S members of College, excluding 
the students of the Medical and the newly-organized Chandler Schools, 173 taught during the 
year. The aggregate length of their schools was 2,278 weeks; the total amount earned was 
123,089.7s, and the total net amount brought back to college, after deducting payments for 
board and other expenses, was $14,185.75, a sum that would have paid nearly half the expenses 
of all who taught, for tuition, board, room-rent, fuel, lights and washing, reckoned at the 
maximum rate of $174.50 given in the catalogue of that year. At the minimum rate of $124.50 
the proportion of expenses met would have been much larger. Of the 173 who taught there 
were 35 seniors out of a class of 57. 40 juniors out of 6s. 52 sophomores out of 72, and 37 fresh- 
men out of 81. Of the schools 64 were in Massachusetts, 76 in New Hampshire, 25 in Vermont 
and 3 in Maine. 



246 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI I. 

were not advanced, but he widened his acquaintance, learned 
adaptation and self-dependence and brought back to college the 
confidence born of success. He unquestionably lost some- 
thing of the value of his college course, as his year gave but 
thirty-two weeks of instruction instead of thirty-nine, but his 
experience in teaching was in the line of mental training and 
without the financial aid thus secured most would have been 
unable to go to college at all. So large a common interest was 
not without its effect upon the College, which gained a certain 
unity and perhaps narrowness of purpose, the result of similar 
experiences in a single field, and many entered teaching after 
leaving college because they had found it pleasant and profitable 
during their student life. The great decrease in late years in the 
number of Dartmouth graduates who take up the work of teaching 
is partly due to the fact that only a few teach while in college and 
that thus few have their attention directed to that occupation. 

The portraits of the counsel in the College case, which the 
Trustees had desired to have painted by their vote of 18 19 had 
not been secured except in the case of Mr. Webster, of whom 
Dr. George C. Shattuck of Boston had given in 1828 a portrait 
copied by his daughter from a painting by Stewart. In 1834 
the Trustees renewed their former vote, authorizing portraits 
of Messrs. Smith, Mason and Hopkinson by Stewart, and re- 
questing Dr. Shattuck to take charge of procuring them. He 
not only did so, but gave the three portraits to the College, to 
which at the further request of the Trustees he added his own. 

For several years from 1830 great difificulty was found in 
securing a pastor for the College church and an occupant of the 
chair of Divinity. The peculiar trials of a pastor in a congrega- 
tion composed of such diverse elements as the citizens of the 
village, the Faculty and the students of the College were severely 
felt by Professor Howe, and it proved hard to find a successor 
willing to undertake the task which he found too heavy. Several 
were approached without success, among them the Rev. Absalom 
Peters, and in June, 1830, a call was extended to the Rev. Willard 
Child of Pittsford, Vt., but he did not accept. The charge was 
finally accepted by the Rev. Robert Page, who was installed 
October 5, 1831. He remained about a year and a half, being 
dismissed by Council May 9, 1833.^ The brevity of Mr. Page's 

' Robert Page was bom in Readfield, Me., April 25, I790. was graduated from Bowdoin 
College in 1 8 10, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1815. He remained at Bradford, N. H., 
where he was ordained May 22, 1822, six years, and was at Durham two years and a half before 
coming to Hanover. After leaving Hanover he had several pastorates and died at West Farming- 
ton, Ohio, January la, 1876. [General catalogues of Bowdoin and Andover.] 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 247 

stay was not calculated to encourage aspirants to the succession. 
Candidates were sought in various directions with no success, 
the Rev. George Bush and the Rev. David Peabody of Lynn, 
Mass., successively declining a call. 

In August, 1834, the President reported to the Board that 
it had been "found as yet impossible to obtain the services of 
a parish minister. The gentlemen who have been invited to 
that office during the past year," said he, "have declined, and 
what with the extreme scarcity of candidates competent to the 
ministry in this place and the unfavorable impression which 
exists abroad in regard to the character of the society, and the 
reduced spirit of the society itself in view of their repeated dis- 
appointments it would seem now very improbable that a pastor 
will be settled here." In addition to these difficulties, the 
Divinity professorship having been vacant for several years 
and, in the pressure of many immediate interests, measures of 
conciliation toward the clergy having been neglected, the latter 
in 1834 began to exhibit disaffection toward the College, on the 
ground that it was not sufficiently watchful in providing theo- 
logical instruction, and devised a scheme for a manual labor 
school for theological students, to be located at Concord, which 
revived the fear of the college authorities of a rival institution. 
President Lord took pains to meet the ministers of the State 
by attending the various associations in Merrimack, Grafton and 
Hillsborough counties, and by correspondence with the ministers 
of other counties, and he so changed their views of the College 
that when the matter came up in the State convention in June 
the scheme was voted down by a strong majority. But for the 
sake of future security in this direction and because of the diffi- 
culty of obtaining a pastor for the College church, the President 
was inclined to advise the election of a theological professor 
and a return to the old system of preaching, with the understand- 
ing that the citizens would probably contribute $200 a year to 
his support, "rather than be deprived of religious privileges 
on the Sabbath by the withdrawing of the College to the chapel. " 

After the dismissal of Mr. Page the clerical members of the 
Faculty had supplied the pulpit in rotation, and the President 
advised as the best arrangement for the time being that this 
plan be continued and an appropriation be made to compensate 
them for the surrender of the privilege of eking out their salaries 
by preaching elsewhere. This arrangement met the approval 
of the Board and Professors Shurtleff and Haddock undertook 



248 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

to stand in the gap for a time. Notwithstanding the fact that 
the revenues of the chair of Divinity were totally inadequate 
to support a professor, it was offered to Rev. Joseph Torrey of 
Burlington, Vt., and to Professor Clement Long, but in vain. 
The hopes of a refuge in that direction proving delusive there 
was nothing left but to struggle along with the Religious Society. 
Accordingly about the middle of January, 1835, a unanimous 
call was given to the Rev. Henry Wood, then at Haverhill, N. H., 
and his acceptance was followed by his installation, on the 8th 
of April, the Rev. George Punchard of Plymouth preaching the 
installation sermon. 

Mr. Wood came to the pulpit in the midst of great religious 
excitement. The Rev. Jedediah Burchard, an evangelist of New 
York, had been holding protracted meetings in this region. 
He was two weeks at Woodstock in February, and at Norwich 
two weeks in March, where students and Faculty attended his 
meetings. At their desire he was invited to come to Hanover 
and on Fast day, April 2, he began a series of protracted meetings 
at the College Plain, which continued eighteen days with services 
in the afternoon and evening of each day. Opinions were divided 
about him. Some of the best people were quite carried away 
with him, while others opposed his coming, and were not con- 
vinced of the wisdom of it by the results. His methods were 
characterized by loudness and rudeness of manner and roughness 
of speaking, with a sort of levity that repelled and shocked many. 
One who gave him careful attention while here said of him:^ 
"Much of Mr. Burchard's matter in what he calls his sermons 
is mere harangue, and much too of correct illustration, though 
more witty than solemn, with a minor portion of solemn and 
thrilling truths, which if uttered by a person of more solemnity 
of manner and conciliating address would with the Divine bless- 
ing produce a salutary and permanent impression upon the 
crowded houses that congregate wherever he goes. In many 
cases he offends by his impudence when he might otherwise 
convince." 

As an example of his brusqueness it is told ^ that Solon Grout, 
a respectable attorney in Hanover, chancing to enter the middle 
aisle of the meeting house in the course of his services, Mr. 
Burchard broke off his discourse to shout at him: "Here comes 
another miserable sinner going straight to hell." At another 

> Diary of W. W. Dewey. By William H. Duncan, long a lawyer in Hanover. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 249 

time he publicly asked prayers "for that old sinner, Richard 
Lang." Various disorders attended the excitement for which 
Mr. Burchard was not responsible. At one place where he 
preached a person in the gallery, to make disturbance, shouted 
a request for prayers for the devil. "Hear that fellow," ex- 
claimed Burchard, "asking prayers for his father," and at 
Hanover on Sunday, April 5, the meeting house being crowded, 
some evil minded persons attempted to break up the services. 
Mr. Burchard's work was for the time being very effective and 
at the communions of April 26 and June 14 seventy united with 
the church by profession. He was very liberal in holding the 
church organization wide open to receive all who professed con- 
version in the excitement, but the church here refused, much 
to his dissatisfaction, to receive all whom he thought worthy. 
Other churches in neighboring towns which were less conserva- 
tive suffered very unhappy consequences from backslidings and 
dissensions in the following year. 

The excitement was followed by an expression of fanaticism 
and radicalism in which "some of the students lost all respect 
for the ministry, the church and civil government." ^ With 
this Mr. Wood had no sympathy and the dissatisfaction of the 
students had much to do with his leaving a few years later, but 
his ministry was attended with much success, as additions were 
made to the church at every communion but one during his 
stay, one hundred and sixty-eight in all. When Mr. Wood came 
to Hanover the meeting house was much dilapidated. The 
original tall and well proportioned steeple, being unprotected 
in some of its parts, had by 1827 become unsafe, and in that 
year the upper fifty feet were cut off and pulled by ropes bodily 
to the ground. The square tower or "belcony" was left stand- 
ing and capped only with an ornamental railing. In 1838 under 
the influence of Mr. Wood and Professor Adams the house was 
thoroughly repaired, the steeple was rebuilt in its present form, 
the old square pews were taken out and the present slips of half 
the width were substituted, but furnished as before with doors, 
though the wooden buttons were replaced by brass. Half of 
the windows were boarded up and all were provided with blinds. 
The entire floor was raised to the level of the wall pews, the 
pulpit platform was rearranged and the sounding board removed. 
The old pulpit remained for a year or two till replaced by a 
mahogany desk bought with the profits of a fair held by the ladies 

Ms. Diary of Rev. H. Wood. 



250 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XII. 

for that purpose. Chimneys were built at the north end and 
the long pipes from the stoves at the other end, suspended over 
the aisles, for many years dripped creosote on the floor and 
frescoed the chimneys. A movement to secure a vestry was 
also started, which resulted in the erection in 1841, at an ex- 
pense of about $1,000 raised by subscription, of a small building 
on a lot of land adjoining the church, given by Mills Olcott 
for that purpose. 

But, as has been said, Mr. Wood, like Professor Howe and Mr. 
Page before him, found his place an exceedingly difficult one to 
fill. To the diversity of the three elements composing the con- 
gregation was added the special opposition of the students, 
which resulted in the resignation of Mr. Wood and a council 
was called which dismissed him December 21, 1840.^ Presi- 
dent Lord was absent from town, and the Faculty was not rep- 
resented in the deliberations. It soon transpired that the council 
had accompanied its action with some severe reflections upon the 
condition of affairs in the congregation quite the reverse of 
flattering to its members, and especially to the college Faculty. 
They were accused, directly or by inference, of upholding an 
aristocracy in religion,^ of excluding the common people from 
equal accommodations in the house of God and of failure to 
give proper support to the pastor, and were admonished of a 
low state of religion in the town and college. The resolutions, 
which appear to have been adopted without a dissenting voice, 
were not communicated to the Faculty till nearly the middle 
of January, when they received an answer from the President in 
his keenest mood. Naturally this occasioned some estrange- 
ment with the clergy of the vicinity. There was, however, no 
long vacancy in the pulpit. Rev. John Richards of Woodstock, 

> Henry Wood was bom in Loudon, N. H., April lo, 1796. He was graduated as the first 
scholar in his class in 1822 at Dartmouth, where he was tutor the next year. After studying 
theology at Princeton 1823-1824 he was tutor of Greek and Latin for six months in Hampden 
and Sidney College. He was ordained and settled in Goffstown, N. H., June 7 1826; then settled 
at Haverhill, December 14, 1831, where he remained till he came to Hanover. On leaving 
Hanover he removed to Concord where he established and edited the Congregational Journal 
until December, 1853, when he resigned the editorship on account of a private letter which he 
had written commending Gen. Pierce, and which found its way to the public through the columns 
of the Christian Observer. On leaving the Journal he became consul at Beirdt, Syria, by appoint- 
ment of President Pierce, who, in 1857, named him chaplain in the navy. In this capacity he 
accompanied the fleet to Japan in 1858, and set up the first Protestant mission there. He 
died at Philadelphia, October 29, 1873, aged 77. Mr. Wood was a man of much ability and 
•f marked eccentricities, both of manner and of thinking, which had much to do in bringing 
about his leaving the church at Hanover. 

• This charge seems to have grown out of the fact that some were unwilling to accept the 
view of Mr. Wood that domestics should be regarded as members of the family and given a 
seat at the table at regular meals. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 251 

Vt., took charge of it as stated supply January i, 1841, and 
officiated to general satisfaction, so that he received a call to 
settle and was installed as pastor April 20, 1842. 

The retirement of Mr. Wood was connected with the anti- 
slavery agitation which began about 1835 to be an element of 
discord, and so continued to the end of President Lord's adminis- 
tration. In that year a number of young men entered college 
from Phillips Academy, Andover, bringing strong anti-slavery 
opinions which they had imbibed from George Thompson, the 
noted English anti-slavery lecturer. He had come to Andover 
in the spring and given eleven lectures in a small Methodist 
church. He was accompanied by a minister, the Rev. Amos A. 
Phelps of the Pine Street Church, Boston, and they had with 
them "a young darkey who had run away from his master and 
whom, after they had had their say, they trotted out to tell a 
little about his slave life and how he escaped from it, which he 
did with a glib tongue and forceful effect. That darkey boy 
when he grew up to manhood was Frederick Douglass." * The 
lectures of Mr. Thompson aroused intense interest among the 
students of the Academy and about fifty of them attempted to 
form an anti-slavery society. The formation of the society was 
forbidden by the Principal, Mr. Osgood Johnson, under sanc- 
tion of the Trustees, on pain of expulsion. As a result fifty 
students left the Academy issuing a manly statement in justifi- 
cation of their conduct, prepared by D. C. Scobey,^ one of their 
number. Fourteen of the fifty came to Dartmouth, and Dr. 
Adams thus describes their entrance : ^ 

I and about a dozen of the rebels at Andover were in the senior class, ready 
to enter. I was always predestined, when the time came, to go to Dartmouth 
because an uncle of my father, Ebenezer Adams, was at the time a leading 
professor there. Others were inclined to go there because its President, Nathan 
Lord, was the only college president in New England known as an anti-slavery 
man. The way to Dartmouth seemed clear, excepting as rebels we had and 

1 This account of the movement at Andover is taken from a manuscript narrative, written 
In 190S. by the Rev. Ephraim Adams, D.D., of the class of 1839, who came to Dartmouth 
from Phillips Academy, and after graduation from college and a theological course at Andover 
Seminary became one of the "Iowa Band." The narrative was prepared at the request of 
his son. Professor H. C. Adams of the University of Michigan, who has kindly given the writer 
access to it. It would seem that he must have been in error in regard to Frederick Douglass, 
since Douglass's autobiography gives the year of his escape from slavery as 183S. 

• Published in the Phillips Bulletin for April, 1907. See also The Pioneer Preacher by Sherlock 
Bristol, one of the Andover students, pp. 40-52. 

•Thirteen were of the class of 1839, Ephraim Adams, Cyrus Baldwin, J. P. Bartlett, Ralph 
Butterfield, Sylvester Dana, H. Eaton, Alonzo Hayes, Samuel Noyes, D. C. Scobey, P. LeB. 
Stickney, G. S. Towle, Luther Townsend, P. T. Woodbury, and one, J. W. Pillsbury, was of 
the class of 1840. 



252 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

could get no recommendation from the Academy as to character, etc., which, 
according to customs between institutions was necessary. We did not know 
how it would be, but concluded to risk it. So as the time came a dozen or 
more of us were at Dartmouth for the freshman class of 1835. The custom 
then was not formally to receive those entering college into full membership 
till after a week or two in attendance upon recitation. WTien the proper time 
came a copy of the laws was given in the class room with a certificate of member- 
ship enclosed to all excepting those of us who came from Andover. We were 
astonished, not knowing what it meant, but determined to know; we got 
together at once and appointed committees to visit each of the professors 
to find out. The committees were to go at the same time, giving no oppor- 
tunity for them to get together, but each to be taken alone. When the time 
came for the committees to report, things looked rather dubious. No one 
had anything to bring at all cheering or encouraging. It was all non-committal, 
holding us in suspense with one exception, which happened to be the report 
I brought as the last one. The one whom I was to see was a kind, jolly old 
man (Prof. Shurtleff) who, as I opened my business without hesitation and 
with friendly assurance, simply said, "Oh, never mind, never fear. You 
just go on as good students, and it will be all right. " It was sunlight breaking 
through the clouds. We did go on. A copy of the laws with a certificate 
of membership soon came. We soon formed an anti-slavery society in college.* 

Chief among the promoters of this society was Stephen S. 
Foster, a sophomore, who became, after graduation in 1838, 
the prominent advocate of extreme radicaHsm, to which he was 
still further urged by another leader of the same views, Abby 
Kelly, whom he married in 1845. Foster was born in Canter- 
bury, N. H., in 1809, and it was not till he was twenty- two 
that he determined to become a missionary to the then distant 
but opening west of the Mississippi valley, and for that purpose 
to secure a college education. Entering college in 1834 at much 
above the average age, he brought an unusual earnestness and 
determination, which led him to refuse to perform military 
service on the ground that it was inconsistent with Christian 
principles, and when arrested, rather than pay a fine, he went 
to jail at Haverhill, from which he wrote letters, descriptive 
of the horrible condition of the prison, that had much to do in 
bringing about a movement for prison reform.^ In his freshman 
year he transferred his connection to the College church and 
made himself prominent as a speaker at the church meetings, 
in the Theological Society and elsewhere. 

Soon Foster and some with him outran the rest and advanced 
to a position of enmity not only to slavery but to all the institu- 

* The delay in matriculation was occasioned by the time taken in inquiring of Mr. Johnson, 
If he had objections to the admission of the students. His reply is lost, but he gave his consent 
in a statement of facts. Records of the Faculty, September 7. 1835- 

» AcU of the Anti-Slavery Apostles, Parker Pillsbury, Concord, 1883, p. 124.. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 253 

tions of society, and were characterized by the designation 
" come-outers. " In consequence of this position he was cut 
off from membership in the College church in November, 1841, 
three years after his graduation. President Lord was much 
engaged in the anti-slavery movement on the same side, but he 
did not follow or sustain Foster in these extravagances, which, 
in fact, did not develop themselves until after his graduation. 
But in the agitation in which he was engaged while in college 
Foster enjoyed the sympathy of the President to a high degree. 
At that time Dr. Lord was much more radical on that subject 
than Mr. Wood or most of the Faculty. Professor Shurtleff 
was so far behind him and out of sympathy with the prevailing 
sentiment in Foster's class as to lead him to hasten the resigna- 
tion of his professorship which he was already contemplating 
on account of his health, and he retired in 1838. Mr. Wood 
in October, 1835, six months after his coming, finding it neces- 
sary to take some stand on the subject of slavery, expressed 
guarded views in the same direction in a sermon, which so at- 
tracted the students that it was published by them in a pamphlet, 
and quoted with approval by Garrison in his paper. The Liberator, 
But he did not hold the ground he had taken and in 1838 the 
students, under the lead of Foster, began to testify dissatis- 
faction with him, which cropped out in the Theological Society, 
when a motion, made by Dudley Leavitt of the class of 1839, 
to express this feeling to President Lord, called out a hot dis- 
cussion of several hours and was indefinitely postponed only 
by a small majority. The feeling continued to increase in con- 
nection with the growth of the anti-slavery sentiment, and in 
1840 resolutions of similar purport were passed by the Theologi- 
cal Society and communicated to the Faculty. As has been 
said there were other grounds on which the Faculty was dis- 
satisfied with Mr. Wood, and partly, perhaps, for this reason 
no action was taken by that body, except an expression of re- 
gret, at which the society appointed a committee to explain 
and justify itself, but the fact that the action of the students 
was received without reproof for their interference had its effect 
in leading him to seek a dismission soon after. 

The development of the anti-slavery feeling naturally aroused 
a corresponding opposition, and in the following year there was 
a painful exhibition of intolerance and disorder on the occasion 
of an attempt by Foster, accompanied by Parker Pillsbury and 
Henry C. Wright, to hold a series of meetings in support of the 



254 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xii. 

anti-slavery cause in the village. They had difficulty in obtain- 
ing a room for the meetings, but finally hired the hall in the 
Dartmouth Hotel. The proceedings of the meeting are related 
in full in his book by Parker Pillsbury.^ The programme of the 
meetings consisted in the presentation of a series of resolutions 
to be discussed and voted on by all who chose to take part. At 
the first meeting which came in the afternoon the resolution 
presented was, 

"That every person in the nation, north or south, who is not 
an open abolitionist, is by his influence sustaining and perpetuat- 
ing slavery, and should be regarded by every friend of humanity 
as a virtual slaveholder. " 

This was lost by a small majority, and at the evening meeting 
was followed by the resolution, 

"That American slavery is a complication of the foulest crimes; 
robbery, adultery, man-stealing and murder; and should there- 
fore be immediately and unconditionally abolished." 

The discussion began with hissing and hooting, which did not 
wholly cease during the evening, and at times completely silenced 
the speakers. The audience, from which the women soon retired, 
was composed largely of students, but they took no part in the 
discussion of the resolutions, which was carried on in opposition 
to the radical speakers by a clergyman from Massachusetts, who 
represented the moderate party and attacked the radicals with 
sneers and sarcasms which but added to the tumult. The result 
was that the meetings, which it had been intended to continue 
for two days and evenings, were brought to an immediate close, 
and the reformers departed carrying far and wide a very unflat- 
tering account of the state of society at Dartmouth. But the 
movement was under way, and the Liberty party had a few 
adherents in Hanover, though it was in a decided minority here 
as elsewhere throughout the State, and the abolition wing of the 
party was still less numerous. In fact the two wings of the party 
were almost as much at odds with each other as with the regular 
parties, and all others were at one in hatred of "abolitionists." 
There were a few fearless men at the College who felt deeply on 
the subject and had no hesitancy in speech or act. Professor 
Chase was one of the most radical of that way of thinking, and 
President Lord was in sympathy with him. The first time that 
any votes of the Liberty party were seen at the Hanover polls 
was in 1841 when four appeared, two of them being cast by 

» The Acts of the Anti-Slavery Apostles ,pp. 208-217. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 255 

President Lord and Professor Chase and a third probably by 
Hood. In March, 1844, the party in Hanover cast seventy-six 
votes for its candidate for Governor and held the balance of 
power in the local elections, and, after two days balloting, suc- 
ceeded in electing their candidate. Professor C. B. Haddock, as 
representative to the legislature. 

The party had already established at Hanover in August, 1842, 
under the direction of its central committee and through its 
agents, Messrs. St. Clair and Biggs, a paper for the support of 
its principles, entitled The People's Advocate, which was in syrn- 
pathy with the moderate wing of the abolitionists. It soon 
passed into the control of J. E. Hood, who conducted it till its 
end in 1844. At first its energies were mainly devoted to fur- 
thering the cause of temperance, in which it did efficient service, 
but more and more it became the organ of the party in its opposi- 
tion to slavery, and when Mr. Hood could no longer carry it, 
an unsuccessful attempt was made to transfer it to Concord. 
In February, 1844, it was reduced in size and price and renamed 
the Family Visitor, with two editions, one for local circulation, 
the other with somewhat varied contents called the Advocate 
Edition for general circulation. It survived but four months, 
the last issue being that of June 5, 1844. President Lord con- 
tinued in active sympathy with the cause till about 1847, when 
his views were changed and he became an upholder of slavery, 
but even then he was known to contribute money and counte- 
nance to an escaping slave, and several of that unhappy class 
were efficiently helped on from this village to freedom in Canada. 

An unfortunate difference occurred in 1835 which occasioned 
much public discussion and some loss of friends to the College. 
Professor Benjamin Hale had come into the Faculty in the chair 
of chemistry in 1827. His main work was in the Medical Depart- 
ment, but it was stipulated at his coming that the seniors and 
juniors should be admitted to his lectures to the medical students 
on chemistry, and that he should have a course of recitations in 
chemistry with the juniors. He greatly enlarged his work in 
the College without additional compensation. Instead of admit- 
ting the seniors and juniors to his lectures before the medical 
students he gave them lectures by themselves and extended the 
recitation course with the juniors from thirty to forty exercises. 
In addition to this he gave annually twenty lectures in geology 
and mineralogy. For some years he instructed the seniors in 
the philosophy of natural history, and for two years took charge 



256 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. Xll. 

of the recitations in Hebrew, "not, perhaps," said he, "much to 
the profit of my classes, but because I happened to be fresher in 
that study than any other college officer." He had charge of 
the cabinet of minerals, which he began by giving 500 specimens 
of his own, the few that belonged to the College being scattered 
and unmarked, and at his leaving it consisted of 2,300 specimens. 
Besides this he had served gratuitously as an assistant to Pro- 
fessor Chamberlain in the erection of Thornton and Wentworth 
Halls.i 

Professor Hale was a graduate of Bowdoin College of the 
class of 1 818, and had been admitted to deacon's orders in the 
Episcopal church September 28, 1828, at Woodstock, Vt. Dr. 
Oliver was also a member of that denomination. Both were 
regular attendants of the College church and during the vacancy 
in the pastorate Professor Hale occasionally preached there. 
After a time, about April, 1830, he began to conduct at his own 
house and at the medical building Sabbath evening services 
according to the English form, which Dr. Oliver and some others 
attended, including some students. Services were also held in 
neighboring towns, and in 1834 an Episcopal society was organ- 
ized in Norwich which drew away several members from the 
other churches and brought remonstrances from Mr. Goddard, 
the pastor of the existing church at Norwich, and from others. 
During vacations and at other intervals of his college work 
Professor Hale preached in Portland and Boston for several 
weeks and acted as agent of the Massachusetts Episcopal Mis- 
sionary Society in the western part of that state. His activity 
in this way and some unguarded expressions of his in regard to 
the extent and exclusiveness of church prerogatives occasioned 
considerable uneasiness among the ministerial friends of the 
College, and it was thought necessary to be rid of him. The 
method of doing it, however, was" unfortunate. Without noti- 
fying Mr. Hale of their purpose the Trustees at their annual 
meeting in July, 1835, abolished his office under the pretext of 
making a more appropriate and economical arrangementof instruc- 
tion. But the true object was perfectly transparent, as it became 
instantly necessary to appoint, under a slightly different style, a 
professor to discharge the precise duties that he had done. In- 
deed, he himself was necessarily employed to perform the duty 
of lecturing the ensuing term, until his successor could be secured. 

•Valedictory Letter to the Trustees of Dartmouth College, 1835- See Chapter on "The 
Museum and Cabinet." 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 257 

The situation was aggravated by delay in communicating the 
matter to the Professor, so that he first heard of it from remarks 
made in the presence of a friend by one of the Trustees in the 
stage coach as he was leaving Hanover after Commencement. 
Even then the official announcement was strangely delayed. 
As the President left Hanover the day after Commencement he 
merely sent Professor Hale a note saying that the Trustees had 
passed resolutions on a matter that nearly affected him, and as 
he could not command time to go into it he had asked Mr. Olcott, 
the Secretary of the Board, to send him a copy of the resolutions. 
But it was not till the following Monday, and then in response to 
a note of inquiry from Mr. Hale, that the copy was furnished him, 
and this, without explanation or comment, was all that he ever 
received either verbally or in writing from any member of the 
Board or any one representing them in regard to the matter.^ 
It was suggested in a pamphlet that supported the action of the 
Trustees and was undoubtedly authorized by them, that though 
Professor Hale was genial and agreeable as a man and a pleasing 
speaker, and though at first he was diligent in administering the 
details of his department yet as tim.e went on he was more en- 
grossed in other matters, and he did in fact leave the apparatus 
and collections in such a condition that his successor, who came 
to Hanover in the following April to lecture, asked to be excused 
from lecturing till fall in order that he might have time to put 
the illustrative material into shape.^ 

But whatever secondary reasons there may have been, the 
primary one was the desire, under the pressure from the minis- 
terial constituency of the College, to purge the College from the 
suspicion of Episcopal influences. In the preceding winter 
President Lord had conveyed to Professor Hale the request of 
the Faculty that his Sunday evening meetings be given up and 
indicated the feeling abroad about Episcopal influences at work 
at the College, and the Trustees may have acted under a sense of 
responsibility to their constituency which they did not wish 
publicly to acknowledge. The liberality of one generation finds 
it difficult to appreciate the strictness of a preceding one. 

There followed an acrimonious controversy by pamphlet and 
newspaper articles, and many strong friends of the College, then 
and since, were forced to sympathize largely with Professor Hale, 
the infirmity of the method of removing him overshadowing all 

» Valedictory Letter to the Trustees of Dartmouth College. ' President's Report, 1836. 



258 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

other considerations. The resignation of Dr. Ohver in 1837 and 
of Dr. Mussey in 1838 were understood to have been, partly at 
least, occasioned by these occurrences. 

After the departure of Professor Hale the mineralogical cabinet, 
which had been under his charge, passed temporarily into the 
custody of Professor Young, and then into that of Professor 
Hubbard. It soon received a large addition from Professor 
Frederick Hall of the class of 1803, who gave to the College in 
1838 $10,000, of which one half was in money to be devoted to 
the foundation of a chair of mineralogy and geology, and the 
other half was in specimens of minerals, which he said constituted 
a collection the third or fourth in value in the United States, and 
were valued at $5,000. The specimens were brought to Hanover 
in 1838, Professor Hubbard going to Washington to receive them, 
and were at first placed with the old collection in a room in the 
second story of Dartmouth hall, but were later removed, on its 
completion, to more commodious quarters in the first floor of 
Reed Hall. The money portion of the gift was paid in five semi- 
annual instalments of $1,000 each, and on the death of Mr. 
Hall in 1843 the College became his residuary legatee, thereby 
receiving, ten years later, the proceeds of western lands, amount- 
ing to $4,103, which were applied to the endowment of the pro- 
fessorship to which his name was given. In 1838 a friend offered 
$2,000 for the library if the Trustees would raise the sum of $10,- 
000. This they promised their best endeavors to do, but, not 
meeting with success, determined to present the matter to the 
alumni at Commencement in 1839, but they did not secure the 
desired amount. 

In 1835 the number of academic students, which for twenty 
years had averaged about 150, began rapidly to increase, passing 
200 in 1836 and reaching 340 in 1840. In 1841 Dartmouth 
graduated 76, Yale 78, Harvard 48, and Princeton 60. In 1842 
Dartmouth sent out the largest class in its history till 1894, 85 
in number, against 105 at Yale, 55 at Harvard and 45 at Prince- 
ton. Though the authorities were sensible that this " unexampled 
and almost unnatural prosperity as to numbers could not be 
reasonably expected to continue, being out of all proportion to 
that of similar institutions,"^ it was, nevertheless, necessary to 
provide suitable accommodations for them all. Already in 
1834, in view of the urgent need of a new building, a public 
appeal had been ordered for funds for that purpose and also for 

'President's Report, 1839. 



1 828-1 863.] Administration of President Lord. 259 

the library, the museum and apparatus. Owing, however, to 
the unfavorable state of the times the appeal was not issued, 
and even though it was voted again the next year it was again 
postponed, both because the time seemed not ripe and because 
the failure to fill the chair of theology had relieved the expected 
strain upon the treasury, but in 1836 the difficulty of obtaining 
rooms for students began to be severely felt, and it was evident 
that any considerable addition to their number would exceed 
all the means of accommodation. The question of new buildings 
was earnestly considered at the annual meeting, and a subscrip- 
tion was again ordered for that purpose. It was not undertaken, 
however, for by the death in February, 1837, of Hon. William 
Reed of Marblehead, Mass., then a member of the Board of 
Trust, who left a handsome legacy to the College, means to carry 
out the building project seemed to be assured. A site was ob- 
tained by the purchase from President Allen of the Wheelock 
mansion for $3,000. The house was sold^ and moved away, and 
the new building was begun in 1839. Its architect was Ammi B. 
Young of Boston, who was paid $277.75 for the plans. The con- 
tract for it was awarded to Dyer H. Young of Lebanon, who 
agreed to erect and finish the building for $11,000, but on the 
supposition that the actual cost might exceed or fall below that 
sum, the contract provided for such contingency by apportioning 
the gain or loss between the parties. The cost was found greatly 
to exceed the estimates and after a careful examination the 
claims of Mr. Young were adjusted by the payment to him, as 
the entire cost of the building, of $14,557.53. But he was still 
unsatisfied and presented a further claim "not on any supposed 
legal right, but on the ground of equity and good conscience." 
On this ground the Trustees again considered it. The account 
was somewhat involved as Mr. Young had bought much more 
material than was needed for the construction of the building. 
Some of this he had sold at a profit, and had credited the profit 
to the College; some he had used on other contracts, and some 
had been stolen. A compromise was finally reached by which 
the Trustees paid Mr. Young $500 more, making the total first 
cost of the building $15,057.53, or more than the cost of Thornton 

1 It was bought by Otis Freeman for $525, and moved in 1838 to the south side of Wheelock 
street one remove to the west from Main street. In 1846 A. P. Balch, who then owned it, 
changed the original gambrel roof to a sharp A roof which it now has. It was occupied as a 
private house till 1900, when, after being remodelled on the inside, it was given by Mrs. Emily 
Howe Hitchcock for a village library and is now the "Howe Library." It is the second oldest 
house in the village, the one next to it, now occupied by the ARE fraternity, being the older 
by one year. 



26o History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

and Wentworth together.^ This sum was exclusive of the land, 
and also of the $250 paid for the oversight of the construction, 
which was entrusted to Professor Ira Young. The architect, 
contractor and overseer were brothers. On account of the 
relationship Professor Young had been reluctant to act as over- 
seer, but he did so to the entire satisfaction of the Trustees and 
without a suspicion of favoritism. The work of all three was 
faithfully done. 

The building was of brick, 100 by 50 feet on the ground and 
three stories high, having pilasters at the corners and a plain but 
appropriate frieze. It was built in imitation of the lines of a 
Greek temple. The height of the different stories was not the 
same, the first being about ten feet, the second six inches less and 
the third a little over eight feet, the windows diminishing eighteen 
inches in height in the successive stories, but, in order to give 
the building a height corresponding to its length, the outside 
walls were built four and a half feet above the ceiling of the 
third story rooms, leaving waste a space that with dormer win- 
dows would have been sufficient for another set of rooms. It was 
completed and ready for occupancy a little before Commencement, 
1840, and received the name of Reed Hall. The building was 
at once used for the relief of Dartmouth Hall, as the cabinet of 
minerals given by Dr. Hall was transferred to quarters on the 
first floor, which also contained lecture and apparatus rooms for 
the philosophical department. To the libraries was devoted 
the whole of the second floor, the College library occupying 
the eastern side, and the Society libraries the western side which 
was divided so that the Social Friends had the south end and the 
United Fraternity the north end. The third story, given up to 
students, contained but ten suites of rooms, which were so inade- 
quate to supply the existing demand that the idea was enter- 
tained of erecting, at the north end of the college yard, another 
and corresponding building to be used exclusively as a dormitory, 
but in the decline in numbers that almost immediately followed 
the design was abandoned. 

Mr. Reed's bequest was $7,000 outright, and $10,000 more 
subject to the life interest of another of the legatees, and still 
further $12,500, contingent upon the pleasure of Mrs. Reed. It 
was understood that Mrs. Reed, owing to some representations 
that had been made to her about the policy of the College, was 
not favorably disposed toward it. Dr. Lord visited Marblehead, 

• Records of the Trustees, adjourned meeting January, 1843. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 261 

and after a conference Mrs. Reed came to Hanover and professed 
a deep interest in the welfare of the College. But the part of the 
bequest that was conditioned on her pleasure never came, and 
the other parts only after long delay. Difficulties arose in the 
settlement of Mr. Reed's estate and the $7,000 were not received 
till 1865 and the $10,000 not till 1868, when both amounts were 
covered into the general fund. 

The increase of students necessitated also an increase of in- 
structors and of educational apparatus. Professor Oliver P. 
Hubbard, who had taken up the work of Professor Hale's depart- 
ment in 1836, under the inappropriate style of "Associate Pro- 
fessor of the Physical Sciences," was in 1837 advanced to a full 
professorship of chemistry, mineralogy and geology, but in the 
next year, on the establishment of the Hall professorship of 
mineralogy and geology, was put into that chair and made pro- 
fessor of chemistry and pharmacy in the Medical Department, 
and continued in this double relation till 1866. Coincident with 
this there came a permanent enlargement and an entire reorgan- 
ization of the Faculty. The chair of mathematics and natural 
philosophy had been in 1833 surrendered by Professor Adams to 
his son-in-law, Ira Young. In 1838 this department was divided, 
leaving natural philosophy, to which was joined astronomy, to 
Professor Young, and Stephen Chase became professor of mathe- 
matics. The department of languages had also been divided 
the year before, as has already been stated. The Rev. David 
Peabody took charge of the rhetorical department in 1838, being 
made the next year professor of oratory and belles-lettres on 
the new Evans foundation,^ but was succeeded on his death in 
1840 by Samuel G. Brown. On the resignations of Dr. Oliver 
and Professor ShurtlefT, already mentioned, in 1837 and 1838, 
the united branches of intellectual philosophy and political 
economy passed into the hands of Professor Haddock. Three 
tutors were also employed, and in 1835 Daniel Blaisdell succeeded 
Ira Perley in the office of Treasurer, which he held for forty years. 
The salaries of the professors were raised in 1838 to $900, and 
that of the President to $1,200. 

In the same year the Medical Faculty was entirely changed by 
a rearrangement of subjects and the substitution, in place of 
Drs. Oliver and Mussey, of Dixi Crosby, John Delamater, Elisha 

' The bequest left by Mr. Israel Evans was not actually received till 1847, when it amounted 
to I4.393. 



262 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

Bartlett and Oliver Wendell Holmes as professors/ and the 
appointment of Stephen W. Williams as lecturer, and was now 
for the first time distinguished from the "Academical Faculty" 
by a distinct enumeration in the catalogue. For several years 
the immediate care of the financial affairs of the medical depart- 
ment had been in the hands of Dr. Mussey, and when a final 
settlement was had with him the Trustees expressed in unusual 
phrase their high appreciation of the fidelity, exactness and 
wisdom of his management.^ 

The Medical Faculty still continued to have a large part in 
the management of the Institution, but the Trustees ordered 
that henceforth the Prudential Committee should make at least 
one careful examination of it every year and report its condition 
to the Board. They further gave it support by voting in 1838 
$500 as an appropriation for the increase of its anatomical 
museum. Examinations for degrees, which had before been at 
no fixed dates, were restricted to the times of Commencement 
and the close of the fall term. 

The changes in its Faculty within the next few years were 
many. Of the new appointments only Dr. Crosby continued 
in his connection with the College. Within two years Drs. 
Delamater and Bartlett had retired, the latter being succeeded 
by Joseph Roby in 1840, and in the next year Drs. Holmes and 
Williams gave up their places to Drs. Edmund R. Peaslee and 

> To these four were given respectively the chairs of surgery and surgical anatomy; materia 
medica, obstetrics and diseases of women and children; theory and practice of physic and 
pathological anatomy; and anatomy and physiology. Dr. Williams lectured on medical botany 
and medical jurisprudence. 

' Reuben Dimond Mussey, the son of John and Beulah (Butler) Mussey, was born in Pelham, 
N. H., June 23, 1780. Beginning the study of Latin with his father he went to the academy at 
Amherst and was graduated from Dartmouth in 1803. For two years he studied medicine 
under Dr. Nathan Smith, receiving the degree of M.B. in 1806, and began practice in Ipswich, 
now Essex, Mass. Three years later, his home being broken up on the death of his wife, he 
pursued further medical study in Philadelphia where he gained the degree of M.D., and on re- 
turning he formed a partnership with Dr. Daniel Oliver in Salem. Both later came to the 
Medical College at Hanover, Dr. Mussey in 18 14, one year in advance of Dr. Oliver, as pro- 
fessor of theory and practice of medicine, materia medica and therapeutics. He also held the 
chair of obstetrics from 1814 to 1830, and from 1822 that of anatomy and surgery. During 
his connection with Dartmouth he also gave lectures at Bowdoin and in the College of Physi- 
cians and Surgeons in New York, and at Fairfield, N. Y. Resigning at Dartmouth in 1838 he 
went to the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, and in 1852 founded the Miami Medical Col- 
lege. Returning from Ohio to the east in 1858, he died in Boston, June 21, 1866. at the age of 
86. Dr. Mussey was eminent as a surgeon as well as a general practitioner, with a reputation 
second to none in the State. In person he was short, spare, with high cheek bones, a small 
gray eye and a broad prominent chin, and with a brusk and forbidding manner. For over 
thirty years he was a strict vegetarian. He had much to do with the musical revival that 
occurred in the early part of his residence in Hanover, and he was also an earnest supporter of 
the cause of temperance, and wrote much to advance it, his last pamphlet being, "What Shall 
I Drink?" in his eighty-fourth year. (Address commemorative of Reuben Dimond Mussey, 
by A.B. Crosby, Manchester, 1869.] 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 263 

Edward E. Phelps, whose official relation to the College con- 
tinued nearly forty years and was ended only with their lives. 

In 1 84 1 the President urged anew the filling of the theological 
chair, vacant since 1831, in order to afford conveniences for pro- 
fessional post-graduate study. ^ "Another step," he added, 
"will then place the College in the position of a University, to 
which Divine Providence has been so evidently leading it, and 
for which public opinion is in a great degree prepared." He 
believed that there would be students enough to sustain this 
additional step, viz., a law department, upon a very slender 
endowment. Subscriptions for that object had been unsuccess- 
fully solicited at an earlier period, in 1808, and the influence of 
this idea of Dr. Lord's was no doubt effective in giving shape to 
the will of Judge Parker thirty years later. Several candidates 
for the theological chair were considered, but none proved avail- 
able and in the financial stress that followed in the College the 
appointment was delayed for several years. 

In furtherance, however, of the ambitious plans outlined by 
the President in 1841 Dr. William Cogswell- was brought into 
the Faculty under the unusual title of Professor of National 
Education and History, with the expectation that he would for a 
time at least devote himself chiefly to the solicitation of funds, 
and to the development of a plan to organize "a learned Society 
that should be nearly related to the College and serve to con- 
centrate upon it the moral and intellectual resources of the 
Northern part of New England."' It was thought that such 
a society would be highly advantageous to the community at 
large "in diffusing knowledge and the principles of morality and 
virtue among the people," and, in the words of the President, 
would be "of great importance to the College, a sort of popular 
branch, which although it has no co-ordinate corporate powers 
with the Board of Trustees, yet in a measure represents public 
opinion at the College . . . and may be expected to per- 
petuate its influence upon the people."* This was the Society 

« President's Report, 1841. 

s Dr. Cogswell was a graduate of the College of the class of 1811, and after studying divinity 
had been a pastor in Dedham, Mass., for fourteen years, and was then agent and secretary of 
the American Education Society. After leaving Dartmouth in 1844 he was President and Pro- 
fessor of Theology at Gilmanton (N. H.) Theological Seminari' till his death in 1850. He was 
short and stout, and, from his likeness to the character in Dickens's story then just published, 
received from the students the nickname of "Pickwick." 

' President's Report, 1841. 

« Ibid. 



264 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. XII. 

of the Northern Academy, an account of which will be given in 
another place. 

But it was not long before the tide of students, which had so 
rapidly risen, began to set in the other direction, as had, indeed, 
been expected, but to a degree that had not been anticipated. 
The class entering in 1838 had over 100 members; it graduated 
85 in 1842. The class entering in 1842 numbered but 43 and 
graduated 30, at the same time with 82 from Yale, 63 from Har- 
vard and 68 from Princeton. In 1840 the catalogue showed 
341 academic students and in 1845 but 179. Classes entering 
subsequent to 1842 showed a progressive increase, so that in 
1846 the President was able to say that "the farthest point of 
reaction in numbers" had been reached, but the shrinkage of 
nearly one half gave a fearful check to the prosperity of the Col- 
lege. The income from tuition was of course correspondingly 
reduced while the force of instruction remained necessarily much 
the same, with the exception of tutors, which were dispensed 
with from 1844 to 1855. 

In their distress the Board turned to the Faculty with an 
earnest appeal to sink all minor and personal considerations in a 
common purpose to help the College, and in 1842 resolved "that 
the Board of Trustees regard the members of the Faculty of the 
Institution as salary officers, and that the Board to some extent 
have a claim on their time and exertions for the benefit of the 
Institution, even out of their particular department when called 
for by any occasional and special exigency, to administer instruc- 
tion to others than the particular classes assigned to each, and 
the Trustees affectionately entreat the respective members of 
the Faculty to unite as a band of brothers, especially in this 
time of unprecedented pecuniary distress and divide the burden 
of such labors among them without expectation of further 
compensation." 

To add to the financial embarrassment the legacy of Mr. Reed 
was not received, and the cost of the new building fell upon the 
current resources thus terribly reduced. There was inevitably 
a curtailment of the far-reaching plans of a few years back. Dr. 
Cogswell resigned in 1844 to take charge of the Theological Sem- 
inary at Gilmanton, the Society of the Northern Academy, from 
which so much had been expected, resulted in a practical failure, 
and the university idea went for the time out of sight, until 
revived twenty years later under President Smith in 1865. Yet, 
notwithstanding the sharp and depressing reduction in numbers, 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 265 

the net result was a great advance not only in equipment and 
in resources but in the average number of students, which was 
permanently increased nearly fifty per cent, in comparison with 
the former standard. 

But the great reduction in numbers and the consequent strait- 
ening of the finances forced the Trustees in 1841, although in 
that year the income equalled the expenses, to turn again to the 
idea of a subscription. In September the movement was set 
on foot with the following appeal: 

The Trustees of Dartmouth College have exhausted its available resources 
in providing for the security of its property, and the accommodation and 
instruction of its students. 

A further enlargement of its facilities for education has become very impor- 
tant, in view of the increased number of students, and the advancement of 
knowledge in the country, and is deemed essential to the permanent interests 
and prosperity of the Institution. 

The sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars is requisite to sustain the Departments 
of Instruction, to make the necessary additions to the Library and to the 
philosophical, mathematical and chemical apparatus. 

In these circumstances the Trustees earnestly solicit the contributions of 
the community. They have authorized the Rev. Dr. Cogswell and the other 
members of the Faculty to present the College to its friends and the friends of 
good learning, for their sympathies and patronage. These gentlemen will 
make the proper explanations of the views of the Trustees; and it is hoped 
that the College will be enabled, by the timely liberality it may receive, to 
keep pace with the increasing population and intelligence of the important 
section of the country which it represents. 

The subscriptions were to be due in three equal annual instal- 
ments, the first payable August i, 1843, on condition that $30,000 
were subscribed before that date. But the condition was not 
met as the subscription fell short of the required amount by 
$7,000. Fortunately among the subscribers was Samuel Apple- 
ton of Boston, then in the seventy-eighth year of his age. He had 
pledged $1,000, and sometime in August, 1843, sent in a check 
for that amount. He was informed of the failure of the sub- 
scription and that the check would be held subject to his order. 

I very well remember [he replied] the conditions to which I subscribed — 
and at the time I sent you the check I did not know whether the conditions 
of the subscription were fulfilled or not, but it was my intention then, and it is 
my intention now, that the College should have the benefit of the donation 
which I sent you without conditions. I regret extremely to learn by your letter 
that the whole project has entirely failed from the want of a few thousand 
dollars to make the requisite sum. And you attribute the failure to the unex- 
pected and profound financial distress of the country. It would ill become me 



266 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. XII. 

to give advice to the Trustees of Dartmouth College, but I hope that it may 
not be deemed impertinent in me to suggest the propriety of again calling on 
the subscribers without conditions. As the pecuniary distresses which per- 
vaded the country the last year are fast disappearing, I think it reasonable to 
suppose that most of those who subscribed conditionally in a year of adversity 
will cheerfully pay their subscriptions without conditions in a year of pros- 
perity. Perhaps ?20,ooo might be obtained without much difficulty. 

The suggestion was promptly adopted. Agents were sent out 
anew, seeking new subscriptions and renewals of the old ones on 
a similar condition, limited to August i, 1845. The matter was 
pushed with the greatest diligence through that year and the 
next. It was interrupted by the retirement of Professor Cogs- 
well in January, 1844, but it was carried on till the expiration of 
the time limited by the Rev. John Richards of the College church, 
and the Rev. John M. Ellis, who had lately been pastor of the 
church in East Hanover. Some $6,000 of the old subscriptions 
were not renewed or were lost by death of the subscribers, so 
that at the annual meeting in 1844 the President reported that 
about $8,000 remained to be subscribed. The small subscrip- 
tions had been so thoroughly gleaned that he believed that the 
sum could be raised only by large individual gifts in the cities. 
As the second limit drew near there were well founded fears of a 
second failure. When a little more than a month remained the 
entire result of the two years' work footed up no more than $26,000 
and President Lord almost in despair went himself to Boston to 
try to save it. He called among others on Mr. Appleton who 
responded, on the 27th of June, 1845, with a check for $9,000, 
which with the $1,000 previously given he devoted to a professor- 
ship of "Natural Philosophy." Thus twice was the College 
indebted to him for the salvation of the subscription. It would, 
indeed, have been a terrible blow to lose it after so much expense 
and anxiety. One would think that a single experience in con- 
ditions of time limits would have been enough. 

The rapid increase in the number of the students, as well as 
the still more sudden decline, was not without its effect upon 
the life of the College, in the stimulus given to the literary spirit, 
as evidenced by the successful establishment by the students in 
November, 1839, of a literary magazine, called The Dartmouth, 
and issued at irregular intervals. There had been two pre- 
liminary failures in 1835 and 1837, when a paper called The 
Magnet had a brief existence, but this, which was handsomely 
printed and ably conducted, had a longer life and only died 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 267 

out with the reaction in 1844, to be resumed again under the same 
name a little more than twenty years later. 

Another effect of the growth of numbers was the extension of 
the student societies in a new direction by the introduction of 
the modern Greek letter fraternities, beginning with the ^. T. 
in 1841. This was followed in rapid succession by the K. K. K. 
and the A. A. $., but they did not meet with the approval of the 
authorities and in 1846 the Trustees voted that after 1849 no 
elections be made, except by permission of the Faculty, to any 
other societies than the older $. B. K,, the Social Friends, the 
United Fraternity and the Theological Society. The next year 
the President reported among the " favorable indications of the 
state of the College the reaction in respect to the secret societies, " 
which caused several of the best students to withdraw from 
their connection with the societies and led to the belief "that the 
predominant feeling of the two lower classes was in favor of their 
discontinuance."^ The movement toward the fraternities was, 
however, too strong to be resisted, the vote of the Trustees 
remained a dead letter, and within a few years the large majority 
of the students was enrolled in the fraternities. 

There was also a revival, resulting from the increase in numbers, 
of an old abuse in habitual absences from college exercises. The 
Faculty being few in proportion to the students, it was hard to 
enforce the special recitation of lost lessons, and resort was had 
to the ancient punishment of fines, which, however, but increased 
the evil, as not a few were quite willing to purchase exemption 
in that manner. Evasion of rhetorical exercises was most marked 
and the scale of fines adopted was fifty cents for the first neglect 
and one dollar for the second, while a third brought the offender 
before the Faculty for discipline. Each failure to prepare a 
composition was punished by a fine of twenty-five cents. 

The use of ardent spirits by the students had always con- 
stituted a troublesome problem for the college authorities, as 
it was difficult to secure a higher standard among them than 
prevailed in the community generally, in which the use of intoxi- 
cants was common. At times the College suffered from this 
evil more than at others. In 181 1 a student wrote: ^ 

The tumultous whirlpools of dissipation are now surging over this plain, and 
far too many are already immersed in its destructive commotions. The more 
sober and responsible part of the inhabitants say the students were never so 

•President's Report, 1847, » M. Pillsbury, May 6, 1811. 



268 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

dissipated as at present. This opinion, however, I think might much more 
properly be applied to the medical students, than to the members of the College. 

A natural reaction led to an improved condition within a few 
years, but there was no permanent change till, in 1827 and 1828, 
the subject of temperance assumed great prominence here. 
President Tyler and Dr. Mussey were very active in the move- 
ment, not only at home but throughout the State. An exceed- 
ingly able address on the effect of ardent spirits, delivered by 
Dr. Mussey in 1827 to the students and before the New Hamp- 
shire Medical Society, enjoyed great popularity and influence.^ 
In 1828 a temperance society was formed in the College, which 
preserved its activity a number of years, certainly as late as 
1833,2 and the subject came prominently before the College 
church. President Tyler, as chairman of a committee, reported 
a series of resolutions which were adopted May i, and a form of 
pledge of total abstinence from the use of ardent spirits, except 
when prescribed by a physician, was urged upon the members, 
and a committee headed by Professor Adams was appointed to 
secure signatures to it.^ The students' Theological Society also 
took determined and persistent steps to crush out the evil, refus- 
ing to trade with merchants who sold liquor, and in 1835 the Phi 
Beta Kappa Society threw its influence in the same direction 
by voting that "no individual ought to consider himself bound 
in the least degree by any practice heretofore existing, to furnish 
a treat of any kind, or to any individual, upon his election as a 
member of this society." 

Dr. Mussey 's activity in the cause continued without abate- 
ment for many years. A prize essay on ardent spirits, written 
by him about 1836, was given an immense circulation by the 
temperance societies and exerted a powerful influence. In June, 
1841, the temperance spirit again became vigorous. The sale of 
ardent spirits was openly made at several groceries, and with 
special aggravation at the Dartmouth Hotel, so that many 
regarded it as likely to injure the College in rendering parents 
unwilling to expose their sons to such influence.^ A reform was 
inaugurated among the students and villagers by two or three 
residents, who procured the assistance of Nathan Crosby, of the 
class of 1820, agent of the Massachusetts Temperance Society 

» A. Crosby, Memorial, p. 23. « Records of Social Friends, May, 1833. 

3 Church Records. ♦ President's Report, 1841. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 269 

at Boston, who had acquired a wide reputation as a lecturer. 
Mr. Crosby lectured in the evening in the meeting house to the 
citizens, the next afternoon to the children and on the third 
morning to the students. The meetings were enthusiastic and 
were enlivened by the singing of temperance songs, the most 
popular of which was, 

"The drink that's in the drunkard's bowl 
Is not the drink for me." 

The results were very marked and in general enthusiasm a 
total abstinence pledge was quite numerously signed.^ The 
students determined not to patronize the hotel, and gave up in 
consequence their annual ball at Commiencement in 1841, and 
the Faculty withdrew the Commencement dinner to a pavilion 
erected for that purpose.^ The College church again took up 
the subject and on September 9, 1841, voted to "regard the sale 
of intoxicating drinks as an immorality and a disciplinable oflfense 
in the church." The vote was not an idle one, as at the very 
next meeting of the church a member, named Alvan Tubbs, was 
brought before the church for selling ardent spirits as a beverage 
and after a probation of four months was suspended from the 
communion of the church. 

The effects of the movement of 1841 having passed away, the 
subject of temperance was again agitated in the autumn of 1843, 
in consequence of a special impetus given by the death from 
drink of two brothers, named Ingalls, who died within a year of 
each other. Though the reform movement had spread quite 
generally in the southern part of the State, Hanover was still in 
the background. The sale of spirits was increasing, and stran- 
gers tarrying over night were wont to complain of the prevalent 
intemperance and profanity. The local paper. The People's 
Advocate, beginning in October published several communications 
on the subject, which stirred up much excitement, the most 
effective being a series of pretended defences of rumsellers by 
"Patch, Jr.," written no doubt by the editor, J. E. Hood. A 

^Amulet, June is and 22, 1841. 

' The dinner was described by a correspondent in the Congregational Journal of August 6 
as "furnished in a Pavilion erected for the occasion on ground adjoining the Academy building 
(now Chandler Hall]. The entrance was through the hall of the Academy — thence under an 
elegant arch of boughs and evergreens to the Pavilion. The whole room was hung with festoons 
and flowers in a style of elegance and taste that surpassed anything that we have ever seen at 
Dartmouth or elsewhere. In this splendid Pavilion, lighted up in the evening and further 
embellished with portraits and paintings, was the scene of the Levee of the graduating class." 
The building was 125 feet by 25. 



270 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XII. 

suggestion which he made after a few weeks for a series of public 
meetings found favor, and the first was held in the Methodist 
meeting house Monday evening, December ii, 1843. Professor 
Sanborn presided and Mr. Hood was secretary. Professors 
Sanborn and Chase and Dr. Dixi Crosby, being chosen a commit- 
tee for that purpose, proposed through the newspaper the fol- 
lowing subjects for discussion at future meetings: "i. The 
history of alcohol, and its effects upon the human system; 2. 
Its moral and economical effects upon the seller and buyer; 
3. Its social influence; 4. The duty of every citizen in relation 
to temperance; 5. An examination of the license law; 6. How 
shall we protect ourselves against the acknowledged evils of rum- 
selling?" These subjects were discussed at subsequent meetings 
held in the vestry during the winter.^ 

The law at that time being one of local option, a most deter- 
mined effort was made by the temperance people to elect at the 
annual town meeting a board of selectmen favorable to their 
cause, and an article was inserted in the warning for the March 
town meeting, directing the selectmen to withold licenses and to 
prosecute those selling without license. Mr. Hood lost no oppor- 
tunity, by argument direct and indirect, by sarcasm and even 
by charging upon the rumseller constructive murder in the case 
of those who died as the result of drink, to throw odium upon the 
traffic. The rum party retorted by an article in the warrant to 
lay out a highway across the Common. When the issue was 
joined in town meeting the result was a vote of about four to one 
in favor of instructing the selectmen to withhold licenses, and the 
choice without regard to party of a board, consisting of Isaac 
Ross, Col. Ashbel Smith and Maj. William Teriney, pledged to 
that course, although they were not instructed to prosecute 
offenders. The proposition to destroy the Common by a high- 
way was lost by a still more overwhelming vote. The same day 
Lebanon voted similar temperance instructions by a nearly 
unanimous vote, and at Concord not a single license was granted. 
Gratitude was publicly expressed to the people of the eastern 
section for their decided expression of goodwill respecting the 
temperance cause and the Common. "A wish," said Mr. 
Hood in his paper, "has sometimes been expressed for a division 
of the town. It will scarcely be advised again. We of the vil- 
lage need the support of the staunch friends of good order in 
East Hanover to protect us against the malicious plots of unprin- 

> The People's Advocate, December i6, 1843. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 271 

cipled men. The floating population of this village needs such 
ballast as they took in town meeting day."^ 

The landlord of the Dartmouth Hotel, Parker Morse, promptly 
conformed to the sense of the community by discontinuing the 
sale of liquor in compliance with a petition that had before been 
presented to him, but his reformation proved delusive. The lower 
tavern and some of the groceries still held out, but they were 
obliged to be so circumspect that they would serve only temperate 
drinkers and the "hard customers" had to get their supply from 
Norwich. Mr. Hood continued to lash them in his paper and so 
exasperated them that in May, 1844, his office window was 
broken in the night. His determined efforts, supported by others, 
did much, by forcing the liquor traffic into secrecy and lawlessness, 
to stamp it with deserved ignominy. The discussions of the 
winter were not without their effect upon the students, and in 
March there was held a mass meeting at which was formed the 
"Dartmouth Total Abstinence Society, " and a pledge was signed 
by most of the students.^ 

Professor Crosby gave a lecture before the society by invitation, 
and in June they secured the presence of John B. Gough. But 
the trade still continued and after a time with more openness. 
Commencement in 1853 saw the largest assemblage ever known 
here on such occasions, except at the Centennial in 1869, and 
much was said of the disorderly scenes about the public houses. 
The "American House" kept by Mr. Thompson in the lower 
house, though selling liquor, was still quiet and orderly, but the 
Dartmouth Hotel kept two bars in open and active operation at 
the same time that the Commencement dinner was spread in 
the hall. A public house, kept in the north end of the old Ton- 
tine by Horace Frary, was credited with a similar character, and 
in the next year students were forbidden to board or room there 
on account of the sale of liquor. At the June session of the 
General Court in 1855 was inaugurated the prohibitory system, 
by which liquor selling, when not actually repressed, was for the 
time driven into secret places from which, as will be seen, it was 
difficult wholly to dislodge it. 

On the 7th of May, 1841, there was a large gathering at the 
College in commemoration of the death of President Harrison. 
The arrangements, which were in the hands of a committee of 
citizens, headed by Mills Olcott, and seven students, contem- 

^ Family Visitor, March 27, 1844. ^Family Visitor, April 24, 1844. 



272 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XII. 

plated an occasion of more than local interest. The Governor 
and his staff, the judges of the Supreme Court and distinguished 
men from abroad were invited, and four military companies, 
the Dartmouth Phalanx, the Cadets of Norwich University, the 
Lebanon Rifle Company and the Hanover Light Infantry, were 
to aid the funeral pomp. Unhappily few of the invited guests 
could attend, but all the military companies were present and, 
according to the local paper, were more than "grand." The 
procession assembled in the college yard at two o'clock p. m., 
and marched with the boom of minute guns to the meeting house, 
where, with other exercises, the Handel Society rendered a part 
of the oratorio of Judah, "He was like a morning star, " and also 
an original dirge, and Professor Haddock pronounced an eulogy 
which was highly commended. Party politics were mainly laid 
aside, though some churlishly spoke of it as a Whig affair. 

Two years later there was a celebration of a different kind. 
Monday, October 24, was made a great occasion by the reception 
of Col. Richard M. Johnson of Kentucky, then candidate for the 
vice presidency of the United States. At sunrise there was fired 
a morning gun. At eleven o'clock the Colonel was received on 
the river road a mile and a half south of the village by a cavalcade 
of citizens under direction of Col. Timothy Dwight Smith, and 
on the top of the hill near the Lebanon line by a military escort. 
Col. Brewster, with a voice that could be heard all over the vil- 
lage, took command at the hotel corner and conducted them to 
the meeting house where a procession was formed and marched 
through lines of citizens across the Common to the Dartmouth 
Hotel; a company of young misses, dressed in uniform and 
carrying banners, strewed green leaves before the distinguished 
guest. At the hotel he took his stand on the balcony of the sec- 
ond story, when, after a salute of three guns and music, a flat- 
tering address was made by William H. Duncan, who stood on 
the top of a hogshead in the street. Col. Johnson, wearing the 
historic red waistcoat that he wore at the battle of the Thames, 
told in reply the story of the killing of Tecumseh and his own 
narrow escape, pointing to the eleven holes still visible in the 
jacket. After a national salute of twenty-six guns the citizens 
generally were introduced by Col. Brewster. There was a public 
dinner at the hotel at three o'clock, and a levee in the hall at 
seven for the reception of ladies. From all these festivities many 
of the citizens held aloof and it was specially remarked that the 
Colonel was not noticed by the College Faculty.' 

^People's Advocate, October 28, 1843. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 273 

The next day was ushered in by a sunrise gun as before, and at 
9 o'clock a miUtary escort under General Ransom, with a pro- 
cession of citizens conveyed Colonel Johnson to Norwich. Can- 
non were fired from each bank of the river as he passed, and the 
people gathered on the hills on either bank to witness it. At 
Norwich, after the usual interchange of speeches, he joined with 
a great multitude of people in a genuine western barbecue. The 
Colonel seemed greatly delighted with the notice taken of him, 
and repeatedly averred that he had never been so honored before. 

Political celebrations were much in vogue in those days. 
On July 21, 1847, the Whigs held a grand jubilee at Hanover in 
honor of the election by that party of two representatives to Con- 
gress, Messrs. Tuck and Wilson. Several students took part in 
the speaking, Oliver Miller of the junior class responding to the 
"Students of Old Dartmouth." ^ On the 23d of November, 
1848, there was a rousing Whig ratification and jollification over 
the election of General Taylor, and a grand dinner at the Dart- 
mouth Hotel, at which Daniel Blaisdell presided, and Levi P. 
Morton and Col. T. D. Smith acted as toastmasters, two being 
necessary by the extraordinary number of twenty-one regular 
and several volunteer toasts. The festivities were ushered in 
with a salute of fifty guns.^ 

The following from the Family Visitor of May 15, 1844, gives 
a reminiscence of an industry preceding the introduction of bath- 
rooms and now no longer pursued here. "Mr. Kinsman has 
constructed a neat and convenient bathing house, which will be 
open to visitors in a few days." The little building stood on 
the south side of Wheelock Street nearly opposite the site of the 
present Episcopal Church. For a number of years it enjoyed 
considerable patronage. Among others who made use of it the 
young ladies of Mrs. Peabody's school, which was kept in a house 
where Webster Hall now stands, were required to form a weekly 
procession thither with soap and towels. This was perhaps but 
an illustration of the general spirit of improvement, which, 
strikingly indicated in 1836 by the leveling and fencing of the 
Common, by general consent was further marked by the organ- 
ization, September 23, 1843, of the "Hanover Ornamental Tree 
Association" at a public meeting in the vestry duly advertised 
in the village paper.' The association published in April, 1844, 

' True Democrat, July 30, 1847. 

' True Democrat, December i, 1848. 

• People's Advocate, September 23, 1843. 



274 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. Xll. 

a pamphlet of "Hints on Transplanting Trees," which was 
enforced by a public meeting, April i8, in the meeting house, and 
an address by Professor Haddock. The result of its labors are 
many of the trees that now beautify the village. 

On the evening of April 14, 1845, a beastly fellow, named Park- 
hurst, living on the southwest edge of the village, was, after re- 
peated warnings, subjected by a vigilance committee of the 
students to a substantial coat of tar and feathers, for keeping a 
vile house and compelling his wife and daughter to a life of pros- 
titution. The immediate occasion of the outbreak was Park- 
hurst's forcing his fourteen-year-old daughter to dance naked in 
a student's room in the college buildings for the price of $5. 
The procession which seized him was commanded by Robert 
Colby of the senior, and Daniel S. Hough of the junior class, and 
after taking him to the rear of the college buildings held a trial, 
at which he was formally condemned. He was then taken to 
the top of Sand Hill where the tar and feathers were administered, 
the feathers being obtained from the pillow which a student 
ripped open for the occasion. Amid the jeers of the crowd 
Parkhurst was then marched back to his home to the accompani- 
ment of martial music, being spared a ride upon a rail only after 
his promise, extorted by the threat of worse things to come, that 
he would quit the town within a week. Five students were dis- 
missed for being present at the dancing.^ 

In the same summer a new jail was built for Grafton County at 
Haverhill and the College had the discredit of furnishing its first 
occupant. This was a member of the class about to graduate, 
a person of good mind and high scholarship, who was exposed as 
an habitual thief. There were found in his possession some two 
hundred valuable books taken from the college library, besides 
a great variety of miscellaneous articles, watches, razors, etc. 
with much that could be of no value to him. There were even 
articles which had been taken from the parlor tables of houses 
where he had been entertained. Soon after his imprisonment his 
father came and deposited the amount of his bail ($500), and took 
him away. 

In the summer and autumn of 1847 there was a series of rob- 
beries about the village that created general alarm. They cul- 
minated in a burglary at a jewelry store, on the site now covered 
by the south end of Bridgman's block, under cover of a fire which 

> Trw* D«»«o£ra<, April i8, 1845; and statements of Dr. J. W. Barstow of the class of 1846; 
records of the Faculty. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 275 

the criminals had set in a house knov/n as the "Shay's house," 
standing immediately north of the present Crosby Hall. The 
house was totally consumed, and some five hundred dollars' 
worth of goods were taken from the store and hidden in the rocks 
on Observatory Hill. The culprits were not immediately dis- 
covered, but as they grew bolder other attempts soon after re- 
vealed them. They proved to be two village boys of about 
eighteen years of age, belonging to respectable families. In their 
last attempts they were armed with deadly weapons. They were 
convicted and sentenced to terms of some length in the State's 
prison. After a time both escaped, but no serious effort was made 
to retake them and they were allowed to return home unmolested. 

The occurrence of several fires within a few years forced upon 
the attention of the authorities the helpless condition of the 
village. The only means of protection against fire were a small 
hand-tub of home construction and a "bucket brigade" formed 
about 1840, each member of which provided himself with two or 
more leather buckets and held himself in readiness to respond 
with his buckets in case of an alarm, and to stand in line to pass 
the buckets from a well or reservoir to the burning building. In 
November of 1847 a movement was started to give better pro- 
tection. Meetings of the citizens were held at which about $800 
were raised to buy an engine and hose and to build cisterns in 
different parts of the village. It was felt that the College, having 
much at stake, should help in the matter, and Professor Sanborn 
was authorized to apply to the Trustees. Accordingly he wrote 
in February, 1848, saying: "We are now left in a critical condition 
in regard to fires. Our engine is nearly worthless, valued at $50 
the engine company is dissolved^ in expectation of a new organ- 
ization, and there is absolutely no apparatus to protect the village 
against fire." He asked for help from the Trustees, adding that 
if the plans were carried out, and twenty-eight feet of suction 
hose were bought to drop into the well on the east side of the 
Common and three hundred feet of leading hose, the college 
buildings would be better protected than the property of private 
citizens. 

The Trustees contributed toward the new apparatus, cisterns 
were built, an engine costing $800 was bought and a fire company 
organized to man it. In term time, however, the students were 

• The company referred to was "The Hanover Engine Company, No. i," and was formed June 
23, 1824, at "the store of John Carpenter," for the care of the engine which had now become 
worthless. 



276 History of Dartmouth College. (Chap. xil. 

among the most effective means of safety. They not only were 
efficient in removing the contents of threatened buildings, but 
were daring in going into exposed and dangerous situations, and 
a constant aid at the pumps of the engine. The engine bought at 
this time and named the "Phoenix" lasted more than twenty 
years. Another was bought in 1866, and another and much 
larger one in 1868 through the efforts of Mr. Elijah Carter, who 
on his own responsibility bought a large engine at Concord, when 
hand engines were replaced by steam engines in that city. It 
was later taken off his hands at the price which he paid, $500, and 
was in use in the village till the establishment of the gravity 
system in 1893, when it was sold for $125. 

The inner life of the College during these years was marked by 
much turbulence. Few of the students came from families of 
wealth ; most of them were either wholly or in part self-supporting 
and they often gave expression to their independence by smothered 
or open revolt against college regulations. Almost their only 
lawful amusements were training in the "Phalanx," the students' 
military organization, which was disbanded in 1845 owing to its 
convivial tendencies, and kicking football on the Common, which, 
during the winter, was impossible. In accordance with the strict 
ideas of the times the Faculty opposed what are now considered 
as harmless diversions. Theatrical presentations were regarded 
as so objectionable that in 1829 the dramatic presentation of the 
carmen scBculare of Horace was prohibited.^ Cards were of course 
under the ban, and bowling was likewise an occasion for dis- 
cipline, while in 1835 thirty-one students were fined two dollars 
each for attending a dancing school. Under such a condition 
the spirit of mischief found expression in uncharted ways and 
often developed into lawlessness and insubordination. The 
Faculty was constantly on the watch to check disorder, and the 
students were as constantly devising some new forms of roguery. 
Members of the Faculty, acting as police ofificers, sought to catch 
marauders and disturbers of the peace at night, and the students 
liked nothing better than to match their wits against those of 

» This, however, was probably not so much on account of its theatrical character as of dis- 
turbances which grew up with it. The presentation was harmless enough as described by a 
student of those days in The Dartmouth for January 30, 1880: 

"There was a practice in College at this time of some classical significance. How long it 
had existed, or how it originated, I do not know. The freshman class read Horace in the 
spring term and it was the custom for them, early in May, to give an exhibition of that part of 
the Roman secular games which was associated with the poet they were reading. Having made 
careful preparation, and, being duly organized, they marched through the streets In the evening, 
carr>'ing torchlights and an arch wreathed with ivy and dotted with lamps, singing in Latin 
the secular ode." 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 277 

the Faculty in preparing strange surprises. As an expression 
of their humor a flock of turkeys was found one morning in the 
chapel; at another time some cows were stabled in the cellar of 
Dartmouth Hall, and on one occasion a cow, and on another a 
horse, were driven up two flights of stairs to the upper passage 
of the same building. From time to time animals of various 
kinds appeared in recitation rooms and now and then an in- 
structor, on reaching his desk, found it occupied by a skunk. A 
favorite amusement was to ring the bell at night, or to steal the 
tongue so that it could not be rung in the morning, or to fasten 
the doors of the recitation rooms so that they could not be opened 
at the proper hour. 

The records of the Faculty for this period disclose the difficulty 
which was experienced in dealing with the turbulent spirits of the 
students. In March, 1832, it was determined to "read the cata- 
logue" at frequent intervals. This was to call each member of 
the college in review in a meeting of the Faculty to see if any one 
had any thing to say against him. A little later in the year a 
committee, appointed to propose "a new mode of college disci- 
pline," could find nothing beyond the suggestion that at the first 
meeting of each month "each officer should report the names of 
those who need admonition or correction." But this apparently 
led to so many reports that it was soon decided that no case of 
discipline should be brought before the Faculty till the individual 
instructor and then the President had tried in vain private advice 
or admonition to lead the student "to a right state of feeling." 
To bring the Faculty into closer touch with the students the 
practice was established a few years later, in 1845, of assigning a 
number of students to each officer, whose duty it was to be to visit 
every student at least once a term, and as much oftener as might 
be convenient, and for such visitation the buildings and streets 
were allotted among the Faculty according to a definite plan. 

There were three chief occasions of discipline, habitual absence 
from exercises, noisy disorder, usually the blowing of horns, and 
riotous outbreaks often accompanying intemperance and leading 
to destruction of property. The practice of requiring lost lessons 
to be made up privately so far failed of its object that in 1838 
the Faculty asked the Trustees, though unsuccessfully, to repeal 
the requirement and to assign each class to the supervision of a 
single officer, who by "moral suasion should secure punctual 
attendance." In succeeding years, moral suasion not proving 
effective, committees were appointed to devise rules for securing 



278 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

punctuality and preventing absence in term time, but with very 
little success. On one occasion all but five of the senior class 
absented themselves from examination, on another the senior 
class requested a tw^o days' leave of absence for a hunt, and on 
being refused tw^enty of the class went without leave, but on their 
return they were told that they would be separated unless they 
apologized and promised good behavior, which they did. At 
the end of each term there was a long list of absentees both from 
daily exercises and from examinations. Fines were imposed 
upon many, some were disciplined, some were sent to their 
homes with statements of their shortcomings in the hope that 
parents might bring about a reformation which the college could 
not, and upon some was laid the performance of special tasks as 
a punishment, but the evil was not checked. 

Noise is a natural form of expression of youthful spirits, but 
how or when it took the form of horn-blowing among the students 
at Dartmouth is not known. Perhaps the sound of the conch 
shell with which the first President assembled his students, or 
of the horn, that in his day and again on the failure of the bell in 
1820 called the college to its duties, so caught the fancy of the 
students that they were unwilling to let it pass away. Certain 
it is that horn-blowing became a characteristic feature of the 
college life, varying in the intensity of its expression at different 
times. In some years there was little of it, and again a wave of 
it would sweep over the college till it became almost unendurable. 
In 1835, the Faculty attempted to bring about quiet by enact- 
ment, and the President announced to the students at the open- 
ing of the fall term the decree that " they abstain from loud noise 
in their sports and that any wanton mischief or destruction of 
property would expose the offenders to immediate separation 
from College." It is, perhaps, not surprising that within a week 
the Faculty "commenced a series of meetings to consider some 
acts of wantonness and abuse, particularly in breaking of glass, 
in direct disregard of the proclamation," which resulted in the 
dismission of several students. Among them was a senior of 
whom the record naively says: "sentence not well received by 
him." 

A few years later the Faculty attempted to stop another form 
of disturbance by voting that "any man who fires a rifle or gun 
within one mile of the college buildings shall be subjected to 
discipline." This vote was perhaps more effective than the other, 
as no case of discipline arising under it is recorded, but possibly 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 279 

the culprits, if there were any, escaped after the manner of one 
who many years later was called before President Smith for this 
offence. On being asked by the President if he had fired a gun 
or rifie round the college buildings he promptly replied in the 
negative, but on returning to his friends explained that though 
he had frequently fired a rifle behind the buildings he had never 
fired one round the buildings. 

The early and middle forties were especially a period of noisy 
disturbance. A minor form appears from the report of the ex- 
amining committee of 1845, which refers to "a practice which seems 
to have assumed its more objectionable character within a 
comparatively recent period. We refer," said they, "to the 
tumultuous expression of applause in class and society meetings 
by stamping, shouting, etc." Dr. J. W. Barstow of the class of 
1846 gave in a letter a vivid picture of the more violent forms: 

Horn-blowing was in full vogue and blast from 1842 to 1845, but the origin 
of the vicious habit antedated my own college days. 

I remember that in 1843-4 the practice had become general in college, so 
much so that the Faculty had magnified the nuisance into a crime, until at length 
expulsion was threatened to any student caught with a horn in hand, or even 
found in his room,' and some detective work was undertaken by certain of 
the Faculty, who, I remember were, on two occasions recognized in spite of 
disguises — as they patrolled the rear of Dartmouth Hall and the North Build- 
ing. This action of the Faculty was not wise though the provocation was 
great, but it only added a fresh motive and stimulus to the outlaws — and in 
student eyes every specially busy and daring performer was exalted into a 
hero. . . . 

After 1844 the habit was less frequent, and was chiefly confined to the end 
of the term, when the long line of Concord stages, loaded down with homeward 
bound students, filed quietly down the lane from the rear of the buildings, 
turned to the Lebanon road and, as they passed Reed Hall and beyond all 
danger of arrest, the din began, sudden and indescribable — stirring the village 
boys, deafening the citizens and carrying woe to the Faculty heart. But it 
was soon over as the stages hurried out of sight on the road to Lebanon. 

In '49-'50, which I spent in Hanover in Dr. Crosby's office, I do not remember 
hearing a single horn from the college buildings, and all horn-blowing had passed 
out of fashion. ... I well remember one morning in 1844, in the acute 
stage of the horn fever, hearing Tutor Henry Parker [afterward Professor 
Parker of affectionate rememberance] address a band of students in front of 
the North Building (where the Tutor had his room), on what the Tutor called, 
in his bland and winning way, "the cornucopia habit." He begged the boys 
"as gentlemen" to wait a few years — each to acquire his own horn of plenty 
in legitimate business and "not just now to make the village hideous with 
plenty of horns." Parker was a favorite with everybody and all listened and 

1 No vote to this effect appears in the records of the Faculty, though in July, 1851, It was 
voted to "separate from College not to return" all students "who shall make disturbance with 
horns by day or night." This vote followed the "Great Awakening." 



28o History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XII. 

applauded, and a marked reduction of horn-blowing was noticed about the 
North Building, though with Dartmouth and Reed Halls it made little 
difference. 

The noise of horns was not restricted to the night, as is shown 
by a vote of the Faculty of July 17, 1848, which reveals at once 
the annoyances of the Faculty and the humor of the scribe: 
"Voted, to require Sophomore Read to deliver up his trumpet 
wherewith he discourseth most horrible music to the college, 
and furthermore to apologize to Professor Chase for his insult 
to him, and in default thereof, to be suspended from examintion. 
N. B. Read is also to be admonished for blowing his horn, during 
Professor Brown's recitation." Read, as the record further shows 
was obedient to the mandate, "delivered up his trumpet and 
apologized to Professor Chase." 

Dr. Barstow must have left Hanover early in 1850, not to have 
remembered the outbreak which is described in the following 
statement, which accompanies a vote of the Faculty passed 
April 26 of that year, and exhibits, besides the prevalence of 
noise, an extreme but not uncommon concomitant of college 
discipline. A vote separating two members of the junior class 
is thus explained in the records: 

The history of the above vote is as follows: for several days prior to April 
19th, the peace of the college and of the village had been disturbed by horn- 
blowing in the night and by acts of outrage against the property of the college. 
Between the hours of 12 and i o'clock of the night of the 19th of April, Barton 
was caught with a horn in his hand. On the 20th of April Barton was cut off 
from college. The class immediately met and petitioned for Barton's pardon. 
At the same meeting, a vote was passed to accompany Barton on his departure 
to the cars, in procession, and to write a letter of condolence to his father. 
The last vote was to be executed, unless the Faculty should grant the petition. 
After learning the facts the President, by vote of the Faculty, addressed the 
class upon the great impropriety of the conduct of the class. The class re- 
ceived the address unkindly, voted tliat the charges of the President were 
"unjust, uncalled for and unnecessarily severe" and that an apology was due 
to the class from the President. Accordingly as no concessions were made to 
the class, a portion of the class led on by Secombe and Foster, accompanied 
Barton to the cars and huzzaed as he took his seat in the cars. On the evening 
of the same day a large number of students, disguised, met in front of the col- 
lege and blew horns in concert for about half an hour. They were provided 
with sticks and stones. This conduct was justified by Secombe and Foster 
as a very proper mode of showing their indignation at the unjust treatment of 
the Faculty. Secombe admitted that he was out with the mob, while the horns 
were blown and declined answering as to his being disguised. Foster refused 
to answer questions respecting his own participation in the riot. For this 
conduct and for the avowal of these sentiments, the above named individuals 
have been separated from college. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 281 

This disturbance was slight in comparison with one that 
occurred in July of the next year, and that for its violence was 
known as the "Great Awakening." On the fourth of that month 
there was a celebration at St. Johnsbury, connected with the 
opening of the Passumpsic railroad, at which Professor Sanborn 
was to give the oration. Excursion trains were run, but the day 
was so stormy that comparatively few attended; the exercises 
had to be adjourned from a tent to a hall and the fireworks were 
not lighted. There was so much disappointment that a second 
attempt was made on the seventh, when the railroad ran excur- 
sions at a quarter fare. Some hundred or more students, primed 
for a boisterous time, provided with horns, and some with bottles, 
went from Hanover. They were disorderly on the train both 
going and coming, and being displeased with the table service 
at the banquet they disturbed the after-dinner speaking, in 
particular interrupting with cat-calls the ponderous speech of a 
congressman, who had a part and who afterward wrote to a news- 
paper reflecting on the students apd the College. When the 
Faculty took up the matter for discipline the College was thrown 
into a ferment, and on the night of the twelfth gave expression 
to its feelings in a terrific outburst of noise, in which for several 
hours, with the blowing of horns and other disturbances, pande- 
monium was let loose. In the resulting discipline eleven students 
were separated from college, and the vote already referred to, 
prohibiting horn-blowing, was passed. Naturally the vote was 
not effectual, but there never was another outburst of frenzy like 
the "Great Awakening." As the years went on horn-blowing 
gradually diminished, till it was almost wholly restricted to the 
expression of dissatisfaction with the acts of instructors who were 
in disfavor with the students. It was finally brought to an end 
in 1896, under the administration of President Tucker, when, in 
consequence of disciplinary action, the student body voluntarily 
declared the abandonment of the custom. 

Noise, however, disturbing as it might be to the peace of the 
Faculty and the village, was far from being the worst evil of 
college life. From tim.e to time there were manifestations of a 
spirit of lawlessness, often connected with intemperance, that 
indicated much greater demoralization on the part of individuals, 
and that were as difficult to check as the more general demon- 
strations of disorder. College property was often the object of 
wanton destruction. It was a common thing to break the win- 
dows of the rooms of freshmen and of the rooms where they 



282 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XII. 

recited. These rooms were often defiled with assafcetida or 
worse smelHng substances, and now and then the furniture be- 
longing to them would be destroyed. Scurrilous and indecent 
sheets were occasionally issued, and in 1848 the press and types, 
on which one of these, "Old Grimes," had been printed, were 
found under the floor of a closet in Dartmouth Hall. The fol- 
lowing letter of a student, named Willard, to his brother shows the 
disturbances of the earlier period: 

Hanover, Aug. 18, 1824. 
It is now almost Commencement. Three days more will bring us to that 
day, when the devil reigns predominant; he has come this year a week before- 
hand; already have the students burnt one barn, stoned Professor Chamber- 
lain, burnt him and tutor Perley and hung the President, in effigy &c. The 
cause of this outrage was this; a certain fellow in the Freshman Class by the 
name of Stark, a grandson of old General Stark was called upon by tutor Perley 
to attend a private recitation, which order he paid no attention to, because he 
said he had a right to be absent once a week (which is really the case) and he 
had not been absent during the whole term. The tutor then told the Govern- 
ment that Stark was contrary and meant to insult him and wanted Stark to 
make a confession; but he had too much of the blood of old '76 running in his 
veins to make a confession when he knew he was innocent; and even the Presi- 
dent himself confessed that the tutor was most to blame, but they must 
support his "dignity." Whether he was most to blame or not they sent him 
in exilium for the term of 6 weeks, which so enraged the students that they 
immediately formed a company called the "bear leged rangers" and performed 
the remarkable feats above related. 

The records of the Faculty also indicate the character of the 
troubles. A vote of June 28, 1829, dismissed a sophomore from 
college, because he "did, on the night of the 23d instant, set 
lire to and discharge a stone bottle filled with gunpowder, in the 
principal college building, to the imminent danger thereof, and 
in contempt of an officer of this college." A case of a different 
discipline occurs in the vote of May 19, 1829: 

A complaint having been made against Senior Evarts for forcibly entering 
Mr. Markham's inn and demanding spirits at an unseasonable hour and for 
using profane and incorrect language when satisfaction was demanded for it, 

Voted that he exhibit to the Faculty this evening evidence that he has satis- 
fied Mr. Markham for this outrage^ and that we meet for a further consideration 
of his case at 3^ past seven. 

y^ past seven P. M. 

Met according to adjournment. Evarts having presented a certificate from 
Mr. Markham testifying that reparation had been made for the outrage upon 
his dwelling, 

V'oted that Evarts be put on probation for profaneness and the use of ardent 
spirits, if he shall read before the faculty a satisfactory confession. 



1 828-1 863-] Administration of President Lord. 283 

Voted also that the Pres. write to his mother and informer [sic] of the punish- 
ments inflicted upon her son and our own fears in relation to him. 

Voted that the students at the commencement of the next term be inter- 
dicted from all intercourse with the bar or table of Mr. Markham's hotel 
during term time. 

A third vote passed November 27, 1843, shows a third variety: 

Whereas Sophomore Warren appears, from evidence, to have been the leader 
of a party of students, in disguise, who broke open a citizen's house, threatened 
the inmates with death, and finally not proving successful in gaining possession 
of the house, threw laige stones through the windows and doors to the manifest 
danger of the lives of those within; whereas the said Warren is reported to have 
carried a loaded pistol on the night of the above mentioned attack, and whereas 
the said Warren, though put upon strict probation for his misdemeanors, still 
persisted in a course of dissipation and secret violation of college laws, such as 
frequent participation in convivial entertainments at a public inn, the keeping 
of ardent spirits in his room, and feasting upon stolen fowls which students 
had fattened in the college building and other violations too numerous to men- 
tion, therefore voted that Sophomore Warren be and is hereby expelled from 
college. 

Four other students were disciplined for engaging in the "ir- 
regularities above charged." All escapades were not of so serious 
a nature, but the students were constantly on the watch for 
opportunities to enliven their otherwise quiet life. In particu- 
lar they were ready to exercise their ingenuity upon strolling 
showmen who came to the village. In June, 1844, one William 
C. Tappan came to the town giving lectures and experiments on 
animal magnetism in the Dartmouth Hotel. His trials are in- 
dicated in an advertisement in the Family Visitor of the 5th, in 
which he "offers a reward of $5 to any one who will give him in- 
formation of the person who stuck a pin into the side of one of 
his magnetized subjects, as he was waking him from the mesmeric 
sleep on Friday evening, to the great injury of the magnetizee." 

But noise, disturbance and mischief were but the incidents of 
college life, underneath which the steady work of the college 
went on. High ideals found expression in fidelity to duty, hard 
study and worthy character, so that the President, in his report of 
1845, expressed his belief that there was a steady advance in the 
standard of scholarship in the College, saying, "that the position 
of the College in this respect was never higher absolutely or 
relatively than at the present time, I should have confidence in 
affirming, even if I were not so fully justified by the reports of 
Examining Committees." 

The completion of the new subscription led at once to plans of 



284 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

improvement and enlargement, and among the first things to 
claim attention was the repair of the older college buildings, 
which having been fifteen years without material repairs had 
fallen into a very low condition. Attention had, of course, been 
often called to the subject by the Inspector, but the straitened 
circumstances of the College had caused little notice to be given 
to it. Grounds and buildings alike indicated neglect. It was of 
little use that atone time the Faculty voted that "the experiment 
of scouring be made upon the windows of the recitation rooms," 
and at another that "the college back yard be immediately 
cleaned," or that in 1842 the Inspector was authorized "to put 
up such a fence as shall keep out the entrance of cows." There 
was not enough money to keep the buildings and grounds in order. 
So dire was the need that in 1846 it was voted that if the students 
in the brick buildings wished to repair their rooms the College 
would meet one half the expense, if it did not exceed $5, and that 
the unoccupied rooms in Dartmouth Hall might be repaired at 
an expense not exceeding $20 for each room if the students would 
furnish the money and take the rent of the rooms in payment. 
In the summer of that year Professor Sanborn, upon v/hom had 
devolved the duty of inspection in 1845, laid open the need of 
repairs with characteristic pungency. 

"It is now generally admitted," said he, "that dormitories in public build- 
ings for students are of very doubtful utility. Such rooms are certainly very 
unproductive property. Public property is less respected and consequently 
oftener injured than private property. Unoccupied rooms are uniformly 
assailed, windows are broken, doors are mutilated and frequently the rooms are 
grossly defiled. . . . During the past year more than twenty rooms have 
been unoccupied; some of them are positively untenantable, others are soiled, 
shattered and defaced. The neglect to occupy these rooms brings a heavy 
tax upon those who room in the village, which seems to annoy and irritate 
those who pay it.> The injury done by lawless students also enlarges every 
term bill. These charges to my certain knowledge injure the reputation of 
the College abroad and prevents students from entering it." He further said 
in reference to the recitation rooms, which had fallen into a sad state of dilapi- 
dation: "acting in my official capacity I have uniformly visited the public 
rooms before prayers in the morning [which were at six o'clock] to remove all 
writing from the blackboards and abate other nuisances which lawless students 
may have placed there. ... At the beginning of the summer term I met 
the three lower classes separately, informed them of the intention of the Trus- 
tees and Faculty to increase their accommodations and comforts if there should 

• The rent of unoccupied rooms in the college buildings was assessed upon students rooming 
out of the buildings. This was often a cause of injury to the buildings, for the students thus 
assessed feeling, as one who was afterward a Trustee expressed it, that they "ought to get their 
money's worth" wantonly destroyed college property by breaking windows, and in other 
ways, till they thought that they had equaled the amount of their bill. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 285 

be a corresponding reform on their part, and obtained from most of them an 
openly expressed resolve for reform. ... It is impossible to maintain 
good order in and around old and dilapidated buildings. Every dollar expended 
in repairs yields a rich revenue in security, quiet and good order." 

In addition to the want of internal repairs the three older 
buildings stood in crying need of shingles, and Dartmouth Hall 
was in a critical state from the condition of the steeple, which 
was wholly decayed. As the new subscriptions now began to 
be productive, two thousand dollars were appropriated for the 
renovation of the buildings. The steeple of Dartmouth Hall 
was immediately rebuilt, not on its former lines, but in the 
beautiful form in which it now appears in the steeple on the 
new Dartmouth Hall, which is the replica of that on the old 
hall when the hall was burned. The name of its designer is 
unfortunately lost. The rooms in the two upper stories of that 
building, which had been "untenantable for several years and 
used by lawless students for all conceivable mischief, the theater 
of noise and riot," were handsomely fitted up and became the 
first choice of the students. The recitation rooms were repaired 
and each connected with a "guard room," which was occupied 
by a student who should be responsible for the care of it. Society 
Hall, at the south end of the building, the meeting place of the 
literary societies, was repaired and made into a very convenient 
and handsome room for the use of the students. All the build- 
ings were shingled. Dartmouth Hall was painted and the walls 
of the space ways in all three, covered with scrawls and pencil 
marks, were washed with a color. 

These improvements which were substantially completed 
in 1848, though Thornton Hall was not shingled until 1850 and 
Reed Hall not repainted till 1851, had a marked effect upon 
the discipline of the College, of which nearly one half had for 
some time arisen from injuries done to the recitation rooms. 
In the three following years there was but a single serious case 
of damage. In 1851, at the time of painting Reed Hall, walks 
were laid out in the college yard, which had previously been 
enclosed by a fence. The yard was now still further secluded 
by planting along the front a buckthorn hedge, which the next 
year was extended to the east along the northern side of the 
yard, at an expense of $1 a rod. Three years later it was deter- 
mined that "the field north of the college grounds in which the 
observatory is situated be appropriated as college grounds and 
never more for pasturage," and thus began the existing college 



286 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI I. 

park. In 1849 a plan and drawing of the village of Hanover 
were made by Joseph A. Hudnut of Boston, for which he was 
paid $15 by the Trustees. The appearance of the College of 
that time is well preserved in an engraving that was made by 
J. W. Watts and published in the catalogue of 1852-1853. 

The further application of the proceeds of the new subscrip- 
tion was a matter of much moment, for the rapid decline in the 
number of students had stimulated the college authorities to 
recover the lost ground by enlarging and improving the appli- 
ances of instruction in every possible way. The $10,000 given 
by Mr. Appleton were of course appropriated to a chair of nat- 
ural philosophy according to his wish. With the balance it 
was desired to pay the debts of the College, but this could not 
be done and meet the expectations of the donors, who had been 
asked to subscribe for the increase of the facilities of the college 
in various ways, or satisfy the just demands of both Faculty 
and students for better equipment. Three years later, in 1849, 
the President reported that there had been an excess of expenses 
in the balance sheet of the year of $986.77, that the College was 
in debt a little over $20,000, while its "means of paying" barely 
reached $19,000. There were still due on the subscription 
$5,131.06, but this was "too high an estimate" of what would 
be realized, and there was need of economy. The Faculty on 
being asked to present their view as to the most needed expendi- 
tures recommended an appropriation of $10,000 for the library 
and $6,000 for apparatus. The Trustees naturally did not see 
their way clear to make such large appropriations for these 
objects, and were content to set apart, in 1846, $200 for the 
library, but this small sum was in view of the fact that in that 
year a gift of $1 ,000 was made for the library by the three brothers 
Edmund, Isaac and Joel Parker, two of whom were members 
of the Board of Trust. 

The appropriation for apparatus was on a much more generous 
scale, Professor Young having reinforced the recommendation 
of the Faculty by a special statement. 

"The original cost of our apparatus," said he, "was about ^2,300 and its 
present value not much above ?i,300. The purchases previous to 1834 amounted 
to about ?l,ioo. This sum was mostly expended from 1812 to 19, when the 
cost of instruments was unusually high, and the articles purchased were many 
of them of an inferior quality, and most of them are now either worn out or 
broken, or unsuited to the present state of the science they were intended to 
illustrate, so that the whole collection is in reality of little value. 

"In 1834 an appropriation of ?i,500 was made, and the President and 




f 



VILLAGE IX 1855. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord, 287 

myself were authorized to apply it at our discretion. Of this we have expended 
about Jl,200, making it our steady aim to purchase no articles except such 
as our immediate necessities required, and as could be obtained of good quality 
at a reasonable price from American artists. Hence our purchases have 
been mostly limited to electricity, electromagnetism and pneumatics." 

He particularly desired to obtain geodetical instruments, 
"such as are actually used in civil engineering and topographical 
surveying, such as might lead a respectable portion of the students 
to find their necessary exercise in real practical surveying," 
microscopes, both compound and solar, with corresponding polar- 
izing apparatus, "a good telescope, " a siderial clock and microm- 
eter, "which involves the germ of a small astronomical ob- 
servatory, " and a full set of standard meteorological instruments. 
In order that he might spend the money, if appropriated, in 
the wisest way he proposed to make a tour of the more important 
colleges to examine their apparatus and observatories, and to 
meet the expense of the trip he became the agent of the College 
for collecting the instalments due on the subscription. 

These requests met with favor and $2,300 were appropriated 
for apparatus to be purchased under the direction of Professor 
Young. Geodetical instruments to the value of $250 were 
immediateh/ purchased and a six-inch telescope ordered from 
Munich. It was delivered in this country in May, 1848, but 
as a duty of thirty per cent, was unexpectedly demanded, it 
was allowed to He in the custom house for some months, pending 
the result of a petition to Congress for a release from the duty. 
The release was granted and the telescope reached Hanover 
safely in the September following. Its cost on the ground was 
$2,379. As there was no oberA^atory it was set up in a rude frame 
in Professor Young's garden, which allowed but a partial and 
uncertain use of it. During the next year there was erected, 
also in Professor Young's garden, near the present site of the 
south Massachusetts Hall, a small observatory, 28 by 13 feet, 
divided into two rooms, one furnished with a pier (resting on 
an old mill stone) and a sliding roof for the telescope, and the 
other with two piers (one of them being supported by the second 
of the divorced run of mill-stones), and an opening through the 
roof and sides, in which were the clocks and transit instrument. 
This room was plastered and had the comfort of a stove and 
"other conveniences for a computing room. " The whole cost of 
the structure did not exceed $250. A lively interest in the study 
of astronomy was awakened among the students, so that the 



288 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

instruments were in almost constant use, when the weather 
would permit, either for instruction, the gratification of visitors 
or regular observations. "I trust," wrote Professor Young to 
the Trustees, that "the interest thus awakened among the 
students will have its appropriate reflex influence upon the 
Honorable Board in stimulating them to use all proper means 
for the early completion of the promised observatory and in- 
struments. " 

Four years passed, however, before such a building was erected. 
In December of 1852 Dr. George C. Shattuck of the class of 
1803, a physician of Boston, who had already given to the college 
the portraits of its counsel in its celebrated case, put at the dis- 
posal of the Trustees $7,000 for the construction and equipment 
of an observatory, on the condition that the Trustees would 
add as much as might be needful to complete the work, sup- 
posably about $4,000. This they at once decided to do, authoriz- 
ing their treasurer to borrow that sum, if necessary, and directed 
Professor Young to prepare plans and undertake the construc- 
tion of an observatory. He had for some years been making 
his preparations, having carefully studied the plans of other 
observatories and having secured from his brother, A. H. Young, 
the architect of Reed Hall, valuable suggestions. After making 
all arrangements for the work he left the construction under 
the charge of Professor Hubbard and went to Europe in April 
of 1853 to purchase instruments for the observatory and for 
the physical laboratory, and books for the library. Dr. Shattuck 
added to his previous gift $2,000, of which $1,200 were to be 
spent for books on mathematics, mechanics and astronomy, 
and $800 for books for the Latin department. Professor Shurtleff 
added $1,000 for books in intellectual philosophy and political 
economy, and the Trustees appropriated $500 from the Parker 
fund. Professor Young returned from Europe in September, 
having purchased instruments and books to the value of a little 
under $7,000. 

Good progress had been made on the observatory during his 
absence under the supervision of Professor Hubbard, but owing 
to the suspension of the work during the following winter and to 
delays caused by workmen from abroad, it was not finished 
and ready for occupancy till the opening of the college year 
in the fall of 1854. The building, which was of brick, consisted 
of a tower twenty feet in diameter, surmounted by a revolving 
dome in which the telescope was mounted, and of three wings, 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 289 

arranged in the form of a cross. That to the east, sixteen by 
twenty-six feet, contained a transit room while those to the 
north and south, each sixteen by twenty feet, contained an 
observer's room and a computer's room, the library being placed 
in the tower under the telescope. The cost of the building was 
a little over $4,800, the sum which the Trustees were obliged 
to add to the gift of Dr. Shattuck for building and apparatus, 
being about $1,200. 

An annular eclipse of the sun occurred May 26, 1854, visible 
in New England. Professor Young then had a class in astronomy, 
engaged particularly in the study of eclipses. It was found 
that the data given in the British and the American nautical 
almanacs resulted in making the path of the eclipse pass about 
one mile from the observatory, the one on one side and the 
other on the other. It was a rare event for the central path of 
an eclipse to take in an observatory, and all the preparation 
for watching it that was possible was made by Professor Young 
in his garden observatory. But to his great disappointment, as 
well as to that of others, the day was cloudy and not a glimpse 
was obtained of the sun except for a moment through a rift in 
the clouds as the moon Vv^as passing off the sun's disk, and 
even then without a chance to note the time of last contact. 

The department of chemistry also gained some share in the 
benefit of the new subscription. In 1849 Professor Hubbard 
represented to the Trustees that for thirteen years nothing had 
been spent for the increase of the chemical apparatus, and that 
it was impossible for the students or for himself to determine 
with the existing apparatus the composition of a single body 
or even the proper weight of any element, or to meet the reason- 
able expectations of the public in the analysis of minerals or 
the determination of the value of ores. Notwithstanding this, 
the interest in the study of chemistry had so increased that while 
a few years before he had been obliged to pay for assistance in 
the laboratory, students had now become so eager to assist 
that they begged the privilege of assisting and put down their 
names as voluntee *' several courses in advance. His request 
for the sum of $150 for new equipment was immediately granted. 

From the year 1845 there was a slow but on the whole steady 
increase in the number of students. With their increase and 
the increase in the equipment of the College it was thought best 
to make an increase in the rate of tuition, which since 1825 had 
been $27 a year with an additional charge for incidentals then 
19 



290 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

amounting to $4.50. In 1848 the tuition was set at $31.50 with- 
out incidentals, but three years later was raised to $36 a year 
and again in 1854 to $42 a year. In 1848 there was also made 
a change in the entrance requirements in Greek from the four 
Gospels and Jacob's Greek Reader to five books of Xenophon's 
Anabasis and four books of Homer's Iliad (reduced to three in 
1854 and to two in 1869, when four books of the Anabasis were 
substituted for five), though the Gospels and Greek Reader 
were accepted as an equivalent. 

During this period there were several changes in the Board of 
Trust and in the Faculty. Within four years the Board suffered 
the loss of three members by death. The first was that of Mills 
Olcott, who died July 11, 1845. As treasurer from 18 15 to 1821, 
and as trustee from that date he had .rendered an invaluable 
service to the College by his warm interest in its welfare; his 
sound judgment and his liberality attested in many gifts and 
services. John Kelley, a lawyer of Exeter was chosen to his place. 
Judge Hubbard of the Board died in December, 1847, and was 
succeeded by Judge Richard Fletcher of Boston. A little over 
a year later, January 11, 1849, came the death of Charles Marsh, 
at the age of 84, whose term of service on the Board covering 
a period of forty years was longer than that of any other trustee 
in the history of the College except that of Nathan Lord, who 
held that office for forty-two years. During that long period 
he had been untiring in his devotion to the College, rarely missing 
a meeting of the Board of Trustees, and from his nearness to 
the College as well as from the soundness of his judgment he 
was frequently consulted on matters that called for action be- 
tween meetings of the Board, and for many years had a large 
part in determining and carrying out the policy of the Board. 
The activity of his earlier years had not continued in his extreme 
age, but his sympathetic interest in the principles that were 
dominant in the management of the College, his thorough ac- 
quaintance with its history and the important part which he 
had borne in saving it in its great crisis gave him to the end of 
his life a unique position on the Board. He was the last survivor 
of the famous "Octagon," and as if to note the close of the era 
of conflict and the restoration of general good feeling the Trustees 
conferred in that year the honorary degree of A.M. upon Salma 
Hale, who had been an ardent supporter and one of the leading 
Trustees of the former University. His successor on the Board 




^L^Ci^i.^ Ly^i^^uy^ 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 291 

was Anthony Colby, who had been Governor of the State and 
ex-officio Trustee in 1 846-1 847. 

The Phillips professorship of theology had been vacant since 
1830, and though unsuccessful attempts had been made to fill 
it, as has been recited, yet in the decrease of students and the 
insufficiency of the funds it was allowed to continue vacant. But 
in 1847 the President reported that the fund of the professor- 
ship was now complete and that it was desirable to make an 
appointment to it. He had for some years carried on the work 
of that department as far as his other duties permitted, finding it 
"a source of great pleasure and benefit," but felt that the de- 
partment, to take its proper place in the College, should have 
a head of its own. He had, however, no candidate to suggest 
and it was not till 1849 that the chair was filled by the choice 
of Rev. Daniel J. Noyes, pastor of the South Congregational 
Church of Concord, N. H. The immediate duty assigned him 
was to lecture to the students weekly on systematic theology, 
and to instruct the classes in ethical and theological branches. 
After a thorough review by a committee of the Board of the 
ancient constitution of the department it was resolved that the 
founder imposed no restrictions upon the character of the doctrine 
which might be required of the incumbent, but, nevertheless, 
his chart of doctrine was defined in a resolution, "that the Board 
have made the appointment of a Professor of Theology in the 
belief that his religious sentiments are in accordance with the 
compend of Christian doctrine set forth by the Westminster 
Assembly of Divines in their Shorter Catechism, and that any 
material departure from that platform is deemed by the Board 
a sufficient ground of removal from office. " 

In the same year theological differences led to the retirement 
of Professor Crosby, but the matter was so conducted as to leave, 
on the whole, harmonious relations. For some time he had 
grown weary of the drudgery of teaching the mere elements of 
language and had come to feel that it was his duty to devote 
himself to what he regarded as higher studies, like morals and 
religion, which had a more immediate relation to the welfare of 
society. While wishing to give up teaching he still wished to 
retain a connection with the College, and suggested that he retain 
his title without duties and without pay and that an associate 
professor be appointed who should perform the duties of the 
office and receive the salary attached to it. This proposition did 
not meet with favor, especially as the Trustees were disturbed 



292 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

by two publications of Professor Crosby's, one a pamphlet 
entitled, "A Letter of the Celebrated John Foster on the Dura- 
tion of Future Punishment," issued anonymously, but known 
to be from the pen of Professor Crosby, and containing, as was 
thought, an attack upon the American Tract Society in the form 
of an earnest appeal in regard to the character of its publications; 
the other a small book setting forth views upon the Second Ad- 
vent not acceptable to the orthodox ministers of the State. After 
considerable correspondence Professor Crosby presented his 
definite resignation and the Trustees, in recognition of his ability 
as a scholar and his desire to retain a formal connection with 
the College, gave him the title of Professor emeritus. On his 
recommendation and that of the Faculty John N. Putnam, a 
graduate of 1843 and a brilliant student, then just graduating 
from iA^ndover Theological Seminary, who had been giving the 
instruction in Greek since the February before, was chosen his 
successor.^ At the same meeting of the Board Dr. Roby tendered 
his resignation as professor of the theory and practice of physic 
and was succeeded by Dr. Edward E. Phelps of Windsor, Vt. 
Two years later the College suffered a severe loss in the death 
of Professor Chase, which occurred on January 7, 1851. He was 
followed in office by John S. Woodman of the class of 1842.* 

1 Alpheus Crosby, the son of Dr. Asa and Abigail (Russell) Crosby, was born at Sandwich, 
N. H., October 13, 1810. After graduating from Dartmouth in 1827 be became preceptor of 
Moor's School for one year, then tutor in the College for three years. After two years spent in 
the study of theology at Andover he was recalled as professor in 1833. He resided in Hanover 
for some years after his resignation in the stone house, which he built in 184s, on the road over 
Cory Hill, but in i8s7 he became the Principal of the State Normal School at Salem, Mass., 
and resigned that position in 1865. He died there April 17, 1874. He was an earnest scholar 
of wide interests, and published a Greek grammar, and an edition of Xenophon's Anabasis, 
besides several other smaller works. He was an effective teacher, but he had the habit of giving 
a prolonged "o-o-oh" between sentences, which with a high falsetto voice gave him a peculiar 
manner. Dr. Barstow of the class of 1846 is responsible for the following incident. Professor 
Crosby was hearing a recitation at the south end of Dartmouth. The students from another 
recitation, which had been let out before the close of the hour, gathered outside his room and 
began to sing, much to the unrest of his students. Going to the door he addressed the singers, 
saying: "To the bird in the cage the sweet carolings of the released songsters are scarcely 
agreeable. Now if you can withhold your songs it will be better for my class." His appeal 
was sufficient. 

« Professor Stephen Chase was but little over thirty-seven at the time of his death, having 
been born at Chester, N. H., August 12, 1813. He was a diligent student and his death was 
hastened by his close application to his work. An algebra, which he published in 1849, was for 
many years a trial to Dartmouth students from its condensed statements and the over confi- 
dence of the author in the mathematical insight of the ordinary pupil. As a teacher he was ex- 
acting and seemed stern, going among the students by the nickname of "Bruin." The class 
of 1847 in its sophomore year attempted to propitiate him by presenting his portrait to the 
College, regarding it as a "sop to Cerberus, " and not without favorable results. His impatience 
with dullness once led to a severe rebuke, which he acknowledged was just. Losing his patience 
in class with a student he sent him to the blackboard and told him to put down a figure 2, "Put 
another 2 under it," said he, "draw a line below and under that put the figure 4. Now, if you 
were a teacher and had a student who couldn't understand that, what would you do?" "I 
would try to explain it to him, sir," was the reply, which brought an immediate apology. This 
story appears in quite a different form In The Dartmouth for July, 1870. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 293 

Among the many plans that were suggested for raising the 
College from its depression was the establishing of a scheme of 
technical education with courses, which according to a resolu- 
tion of the Trustees in 1844, should be "more particularly adapted 
to qualify students for commercial, manufacturing, mechanical 
and agricultural pursuits." In furtherance of this idea it was 
determined to get three additional endowments for professor- 
ships, "one devoted to trade and commerce, another to manu- 
factures and mechanics, and a third to agriculture," and the 
Trustees declared their readiness to establish courses of study 
in any or all of these branches as soon as the necessary funds 
could be obtained. This ambitious scheme naturally failed of 
accomplishment, but the importance which scientific education 
assumed in the minds of the Trustees is indicated by the large 
expenditures made for the departments having that direction. 
So large a part of the new funds, in addition to the endowment 
of the Appleton professorship, was spent in the equipment of 
these departments that the older and literary' departments felt 
somewhat slighted, especially in view of the small appropria- 
tion that was made for the library, which, before the gift by Dr. 
Shattuck for its use, was represented by Professor Sanborn as 
totally inadequate, not having in Latin "even an English ver- 
sion, much less a critical edition of several of the authors taught 
in the college course." 

But the most important step in the direction of scientific 
education, amounting, indeed, to a new departure in the history 
of the College, was yet to come. In March, 1851, Abiel Chandler 
of Walpole, N. H., died, leaving a will which on April i was 
proved at Keene.^ In it he gave fifty thousand dollars to 

The Trustees of Dartmouth College, an institution established at Hanover, 
in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire for ever — but in trust, 
' Abiel Chandler, the son of Daniel and Sarah (Merrill) Chandler, was born at Concord, N. H., 
February 26, i777- In his childhood his father removed to Fryeburg, Me., where he labored 
on the farm till he was twenty-one. Then by the aid of a brother he fitted for college at the 
Phillips Exeter Academy and was graduated from Harvard College in 1806. After teaching 
eleven years at Salem and Newburyport, Mass., and spending one year in Baltimore he began 
busine.>s in Boston, establishing the house of Chandler and Howard, later Chandler, Howard 
and Co., in which he continued till 1845, when he retired from business and made his home in 
Walpole, N. H., where he died March 21, 1851. His wife, a daughter of Epes Sargent of Bos- 
ton, died in 1837 without children. After many personal bequests and that to the College, 
Mr. Chandler made the New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane his residuary legatee to the 
amount, as it proved, of about |2S,ooo. He was not a man of marked characteristics, but of 
honest, straightforward energy in business, and integrity and clearness of purpose. It is said 
that his gift to the College grew out of an incident of his life at Fryeburg. At the age of twenty- 
one, being a laborer, comparatively uneducated and ignorant, he fell in with some students 
from Dartmouth. He was impressed by their superiority in having something that he did 
not, and being humbled without being ashamed he determined to secure an education for 
himself. (Commemorative Discourse by Nathan Lord, July 29, 1852.) 



294 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI I. 

to carefully and prudently invest or fund the principal sum, and to faithfully 
apply and appropriate the income and interest thereof for the establishment 
and support of a permanent department or school of instruction in said College, 
in the practical and useful arts of life, comprised chiefly in the branches of 
mechanics and civil engineering, the invention and manufacture of machinery, 
carpenter}', masonry, architecture, and drawing, the investigation of the prop- 
erties and uses of the materials employed in the arts, the modern languages, 
and English literature, together with book-keeping and such other branches 
of knowledge as may best qualify young persons for the duties and employ- 
ments of active life; but, first and above all, I would enjoin in connection with 
the above branches, the careful inculcation of the principles of pure morality, 
piety and religion, without introducing topics of controversial theology, that 
the benefits of said department or school may be equally enjoyed by all relig- 
ious denominations without distinction. No other or higher preparatory 
studies are to be required in order to enter said department or school, than are 
pursued in the common schools of New England. 

In order to secure on the part of the Trustees permanent 
conformity with his wishes in the investment of the fund and 
in the management of the school, he established by his will 
a perpetual board of two visitors, having life tenure and in case 
of the death or resignation of either the other having power 
to fill the vacancy, whose duty it should be to visit the school 
and examine the condition of the funds at least once a year. 
The will further declared that "the board of visitors shall have 
full power to determine, interpret, and explain my wishes in 
respect to this foundation, to redress grievances . . . and 
to see that my true intentions in regard to this foundation be 
faithfully executed. And in order that said board of visitors 
may not be limited in their powers by the foregoing recital, 
I further confer upon said board of visitors all the visitatorial 
powers and privileges, which, by the law of the land, belong 
and are entrusted to any visitor of any eleemosynary corpora- 
tion." The executors of the will and also the first visitors were 
Mr. Chandler's personal friends, John J. Dixwell a merchant, 
and Francis B. Hayes a lawyer, of Boston. 

This legacy, with its restrictions, was not regarded by the 
Trustees with uniform satisfaction. Doubts were expressed 
as to the propriety and the legality of acceptance. Some hesi- 
tated in view of additional responsibilities in a new field; some 
were alarmed at giving what they considered an undue impor- 
tance to a scientific education at the expense of the old standards, 
and some feared the revolutionary effect of the new features 
thrust into the existing constitution. President Lord was him- 
self among the doubters, but thought it best on the whole to 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 295 

accept the trust on grounds that were set forth later in a letter 
concerning the Chandler School, in which he said: * 

It is clear to all considerate observers that the tendency of society every- 
where is rapidly increasing in the direction [of education in the practical and 
useful arts of life]. Agriculture, manufactures, trade, engineering, military 
necessities, the fine arts, and industrial pursuits in general, with the commerce 
ensuing to a more extended and busy civilization, necessarily engage the many, 
while merely professional pursuits are confined to a comparatively few, and 
are likely to decline in the general estimation. Whatever differences of opinion 
may exist as to the remote consequences of this remarkable driff, it certainly 
is undeniable. It is a law no more to be overcome than that of gravity. 

At the annual meeting of the Board in 1851, on the report of 
Judges Joel and Edmund Parker, to whom the matter had been 
referred, that no legal obstacle intervened, the legacy was ac- 
cepted. The same gentlemen in connection with the President 
were appointed a committee to prepare a plan for the establish- 
ment of the new school. Their report, made a year later and 
adopted July 27, 1852, presented the "Statutes of the Chandler 
School" and a "Scheme of Studies." By the first the Trustees 
constituted and organized a school of instruction in connection 
with the College and as a department of it and denominated it 
"The Chandler School of Science and the Arts." It was to 
consist of two departments, the junior and the senior, the former 
extending over one year, the latter over two. In the junior, 
instruction was to be given in the English language, arithme- 
tic, algebra, bookkeeping, physical geography, linear drawing, 
physiology, botany, graphics and the use of instruments, while 
the senior department comprised mechanics, civil engineering 
and the other branches prescribed in IMr. Chandler's will. Stu- 
dents were to be admitted to the junior department only on 
"a rigorous and satisfactory examination in reading, spelling, 
penmanship, English grammar and parsing, arithmetic and 
geography." The junior year was divided into four terms 
of ten weeks each, an arrangement that lasted but one year, 
and the tuition was set at I20 a year, but was raised to $30 after 
one year. The calendar of the senior year was the same as that 
of the College, and the tuition was $30 from the beginning. At 
the completion of the course the degree of B.S. was given, but 
students might be admitted to partial courses and receive a 
certificate if they had completed two terms of satisfactory work. 
Several changes were introduced in 1857. General history was 

^Granite Monthly, June, 1880, p. 359- 



296 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XII. 

added to the entrance requirements, and plane geometry and 
algebra were recommended, though they were not made a re- 
quirement till 1868, the course of study was extended to four 
years, the fourth class, or "Quarters" as they were afterward 
usually known, corresponding to freshmen and the first class 
to seniors, and in the last year students were allowed to choose 
between a civil engineering course, a commercial course and a 
general course, the difference being mainly the substitution of 
German and commercial subjects in the last two for civil engineer- 
ing. Tuition was raised to $36 for the fourth and third classes 
and to $42 for the two upper classes. The School was opened 
to the public in the fall of 1852 and made a very auspicious 
beginning with seventeen students, two in the senior and fifteen 
in the junior class. 

The mode of administering the School was the subject of much 
perplexity and discussion from the first. The difference in prep- 
aration and in the courses of study of its students necessitated 
their entire separation in recitation from the college classes, 
and, therefore, it was provided that special instruction should 
be given them by the college Faculty under the direction of the 
President. The President and others favored theoretically 
a board of instruction distinct from the college Faculty, but 
the inadequacy of the fund rendered that plan as yet impracti- 
cable, and forced them to rely at the outset upon instruction 
given by members of the college Faculty, who were to receive 
a moderate compensation in addition to their stated salaries. 
Out of this arrangement, natural and unavoidable as it was, 
friction and jealousy soon appeared. Not all the members of 
the Faculty were called upon to teach in the new courses, and 
some to but a small amount. Complaints arose of inequality. 
Those who taught most secured a considerable addition to 
their salaries, which those who taught less, forgetful of the added 
labor, or willing to perform it if opportunity offered, regarded 
as a favor denied to them. 

Most of the teaching fell to the mathematical and the com- 
paratively new departments in science, which thus seemed to 
gain an advantage over the older departments of the humani- 
ties in the larger returns which they secured. The School, more- 
over, was receiving a return disproportionate to its payments, 
for the amount paid for instruction was very small, but a dollar 
an hour, compared with about four dollars an hour, which a pro- 
fessor in the College received for his work on the basis of the 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 297 

average number of recitations a year. In addition to this, till 
i860, the School contributed nothing toward the expenses of 
examining committees, minister's salary, the library and other 
incidentals, so that the President was justified in saying that 
the School "was drawing insensibly, as it ought not, upon the 
resources of the College." ^ In that year it first paid its part 
of these expenses, its proportion being fixed at one fifth of the 
whole. In 1865 the compensation of the college professors teach- 
ing there was raised to two dollars an hour, but even then the 
School was receiving its instruction at a disproportionate rate, 
and this fact had much to do in producing complaints and trouble 
later on. 

It was this feature of internal jealousies and excessive drain 
upon the resources of the College that, in 1859, led the President, 
foreseeing the dangers that were likely to come unless the rela- 
tions of the College and the School were put upon a fixed and 
satisfactory basis, to present to the Trustees a plan for settling 
those relations, for the time at least harmoniously and to the 
advantage of all parties, by giving to all instruction in the College 
and the School an equivalent value, and at the same time equaliz- 
ing and raising the salaries. He did not think that the time 
was ripe for the separate organization which be believed was 
theoretically best, and, therefore, on the basis of a statement 
prepared by the Faculty at the request of the Trustees showing 
the work done in the different departments, he proposed that 
the aggregate schedule of recitations in both College and School 
should be divided equitably among all the college professors, 
that they should each receive for all services the same salary, and 
that the Chandler fund should contribute an equitable propor- 
tion to the salary account. The joint funds of the College and 
School were sufficient, when applied in this way, at once to raise 
the salaries of all the professors from $1,100 to $1,300. 

This plan, if adopted, would have then given to the College 
and the School that unity of interest that was secured only after 
an interval of more than thirty years by their union in 1893. 
It would have secured a unity of administration and have pre- 
vented the wasteful duplication of instruction, the divergence 
of interest and the alienations and controversies that marked 
the intervening years, and would have made both departments 
mutually helpful from that time. It did not require one faculty 
in name, for it allowed, if desired, the continued publication in 

'Special Report, 1859. 



298 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XII. 

the catalogue of a separate Chandler faculty, but it made the 
interests of all instruction so completely one that the fact of a 
common interest would have outweighed the form of diversity. 
To be sure the classes could not have been brought together in 
recitations, as they afterward were, and there would have been 
other indications of separation, but the interests of the Faculty 
would have become so united that they could not have been 
divided. But for some reason that does not now appear, prob- 
ably personal to some extent, the plan did not commend itself 
to the majority of the Faculty, or to a majority of the Board, 
and the old system with its tendency to jealousies and division 
was continued. The failure to adopt this proposition of the 
President was so unsatisfactory to Judge Joel Parker that he 
resigned his position on the Board of Trust, assuring the Presi- 
dent of his entire sympathy but being unwilling to engage in 
unavailing controversies in support of his views. 

It had already been found necessary to have some one of the 
professors in charge of the details of administration in the School, 
and in 1854 James W. Patterson, then a tutor, was chosen 
Chandler professor of mathematics and given general oversight 
of the Chandler students. Two years later he was put into the 
regular chair of mathematics in place of Professor Woodman, 
who as professor of civil engineering was substituted in charge 
of the Chandler School with the title of " Rector, "which, however, 
appears only on the records of the Trustees and does not seem 
ever to have been commonly used. Neither Professor Patter- 
son nor Professor Woodman confined his teaching to the Chandler 
students, but in accordance with the view of all parties, that a 
separate faculty should be formed as soon as practicable, a 
beginning of such a faculty was made in 1862 by the appoint- 
ment of John E. Sinclair, a Chandler graduate of the class of 
1858, as associate professor of mathematics in the Chandler 
School. In previous years young graduates had been employed 
to teach special subjects and were enrolled in the Chandler 
faculty but not in the general faculty, but now Professor Sinclair, 
though teaching only in the Chandler School, appeared in the 
general list. Professor Woodman continued at the head of the 
School till 1870 when, on his resignation, his place was taken 
by Professor Edward R. Ruggles whose service extended till 
the union of the School with the College in 1893. The progress 
of the School will be discussed in another place. 

The early years of the School were recognized by both Trustees 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 299 

and Faculty as experimental. In the lack of precedents it was 
believed that it could not be developed according to any pre- 
arranged plan, but that the experience of successive years must 
indicate the course to be pursued, and that it was not at all 
impossible that some experiments might prove unsuccessful 
and changes in plans be necessary. Unfortunately these early 
years coincided with many changes in both Board and Faculty, 
so that many of those who had to deal with the development 
of the policy of the School had not the benefit of acquaintance 
with it from the beginning. In the years between 1856 and 1862 
six of the ten permanent members of the Board besides the Presi- 
dent retired from office. Judge Edmund Parker died in 1856 
and was succeeded a year later by Amos Tuck of Exeter, N. H. 
In that year the resignations of John Kelly and Judge Richard 
Fletcher opened the way for the election of George W. Nesmith 
of Franklin, N. H., and Lyndon A. Marsh of Woodstock, Vt., a 
son of Charles Marsh. Samuel Fletcher, who died in 1858, was 
succeeded by Judge Ira A. Eastman of Manchester, N. H., 
while the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Joel Parker 
in i860 was not filled till 1864, when, after two unsuccessful 
attempts at an election, Edward S. Tobey of Boston was chosen. 
The Rev. Dr. Silas Aiken died in 1862 and was followed by Rev. 
Pliny B. Day of Hollis, N. H. 

The changes in the Faculty during the years between 1849 
and 1859 were even more remarkable. The resignation of Pro- 
fessor Crosby and the succession of Professor Putnam in Greek, 
and the appointment of Professor Noyes in divinity, all in 1849, 
as well as the death of Professor Chase in 1851, have been men- 
tioned. The vacancy in the chair of mathematics was filled by 
the election of John S. Woodman, a lawyer of Dover, N. H., 
and in the next year, owing to the increase of the work of the 
department in connection with the Chandler School, a tutor 
was appointed, James W. Patterson, who two years later, as 
has been said, was made assistant professor, and again in 1856 
was advanced to a full professorship, while Professor Woodman 
became professor of civil engineering. In 1858 the College 
sustained a great loss in the death of Professor Young. ^ 

» Ira Young was bom in Lebanon, N. H., May 23, 1801, the son of Samuel and Rebecca 
(Harding) Young, and was graduated from Dartmouth in 1828. After teaching in academies 
he entered the Faculty of the College as tutor in 1830 and three years later became professor 
of mathematics and natural philosophy and later of astronomy. He was eminent in his chosen 
field, an effective organizer and administrator and it was the knowledge of this that led Dr. 
Shattuck to make his gift to the College on the condition that the planning, construction and 
equipment of the observatory should be in the hands of Professor Young. He had not popular 



300 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

In the next year his department was divided, the astronomy 
being given to Professor Patterson, and Rev. Henry Fairbanks 
of St. Johnsbury being made professor of natural philosophy, 
while John R. Varney, of the class of 1843, was chosen to the chair 
of mathematics. The long service of Professor Haddock came 
to an end in 1850 when he received leave of absence to become 
chdrge d'affairs of the United States at Lisbon, but though he 
hoped to return to his chair, yet his absence becoming prolonged 
the Trustees were forced to deny permission for longer absence 
and he resigned his professorship in 1854.^ Clement Long, a 
graduate of 1828 and then professor in Western Reserve College, 
succeeded him in the chair of intellectual philosophy and polit- 
ical economy, but his untimely death in 1861 closed a career 
that, though short, left upon the College a profound impression 
of his intellectual and moral strength. Professor Sanborn re- 
signed the chair of Latin in 1859 to accept the presidency of 
Washington University at St. Louis, and was immediately fol- 
lowed by Charles A. Aiken of the class of 1846. 

In the same year Mr. Jean B. Torricelli, who for several years 
had given instruction in modern languages on the basis of the 
payment of $400 by the College and private payments on the 
part of the students, withdrew and the chair of modern languages, 
which had been contemplated for twenty years, was finally estab- 
lished, and its first incumbent was Rev. William A. Packard, 
a graduate of Bowdoin College in 1851. He held it, however, 

qualities and to the students as a body was not an inspiring teacher, but rather of that class 
whose real power and effectiveness increase in the retrospect. That he was not wanting in 
shrewd humor is evidenced by the story that one day in a lecture in electricity he put a coin 
upon an electrified plate and said that any student could have it who would pick it off. Astudent 
who had heard of the situation picked it off with the aid of a silk glove. The professor was 
much surprised, and grieved at the loss of the coin said: "That is well done, but if you will 
give me the coin again I will show you a trick worth two of that," and on receiving the coin 
slipped it into his pocket with the remark that it could not be extracted from there. 

1 Charles Bricket Haddock, the son of William and Abigail Eastman (Webster) Haddock, 
was born in Franklin, N. H., June 20, 1796. Graduating from Dartmouth in 1816 he studied 
divinity at Andover, but left the Seminary to enter the Faculty at Hanover in 1819 and con- 
tinued his connection till 1854. In that year he returned from Portugal and lived at West 
Lebanon, N. H., till his death January is. i86r. He was a man of courtly manners, a graceful 
and effective speaker both in the pulpit and in popular addresses, and a winning and persuasive 
teacher. He was much in demand as a speaker on public occasions and was interested in civic 
affairs. He represented the town four times in the Legislature and had much to do in arousing 
an interest in the movement to construct the line of the railroads from Concord to Burlington. 
But he was not a man of business instincts and was constantly harassed by debts, which some- 
times called into play his extraordinary gifts of persuasion. There is a story that a man. to 
whom he owed a considerable sum and whom he had frequently disappointed in the matter 
of payment, determined to secure the payment of the debt or to call the law to his aid. Going 
to Professor Haddock's with this determination and making a peremptory demand for the 
money, he was met with such affability on the part of the Professor that he consented to talk 
the matter over, and before he left the house he had loaned a further sum to relieve the want* 
of his persuasive debtor. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 301 

but four years, when he was transferred to the chair of Greek, 
which was made vacant by the death of Professor Putman who, 
while suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis, went to Europe in 
1863 in hope of restoration, but to the universal grief died at 
sea as he was returning. As the result of these changes, by 1859 
there were only two members of the Faculty, besides the Presi- 
dent, whose connection with it extended over more than ten 
years. 

As may well be imagined these frequent changes in the boards 
of control and administration led to a diversity of view, and 
were inimical to a progressive policy even in a matter of such 
importance as the development of the Chandler School. This 
diversity of view, resulting from a natural diversity of judgment 
and at times from a lack of close acquaintance with the College, 
was intensified by the existence of personal feeling that came 
to the surface in the Faculty in connection with the conduct of 
the Chandler School and with appointments, and that passing 
over to the Trustees was aggravated by the feeling of opposition 
to the President on political grounds. 

On the occurrence of a vacancy in the chair of astronomy 
occasioned by the death of Professor Ira Young, its duties were 
temporarily devolved upon Professor Patterson of the mathe- 
matical department, and when, a year later, the question of 
a permanent appointment was informally discussed in the 
Faculty, President Lord favored that of Charles A. Young, 
a son of the deceased Professor Young and then a professor in 
Western Reserve College, whom he regarded as a young man of 
extraordinary promise, but the majority of the Faculty, in 
view of Mr. Young's extreme youth for such an important posi- 
tion and of some peculiarities of manner that had been some- 
what disagreeable to his teachers during his college course, favored 
Professor Patterson for the place. The matter was delayed and 
Professor Patterson was requested to continue to perform the 
duties of the astronomical professorship. This he naturally 
hesitated to do without the assurance that he should later be 
appointed to the chair. Members of the Faculty assured him 
of their influence to that end and, though the President told him 
of his preference for Mr. Young or for any man better than 
either, he undertook the work and Mr. Charles H. Boyd was 
appointed tutor in mathematics. Before the next meeting of 
the Board Professor Young, having heard of the feeling of the 
Faculty, refused to be a candidate for the position. The Faculty 



302 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XII. 

then renewed its recommendation of Mr. Patterson, and suggested 
Mr. Varney for the chair of mathematics, but the President 
saying that in his judgment Mr. Patterson was better fitted 
for mathematics and Mr. Varney for astronomy urged the re- 
tention of Mr. Patterson in the former and the appointment of 
Mr. Varney to the latter position. The Board adopted the rec- 
ommendations of the Faculty; the justification of time was with 
the President. 

The question of appointments was under discussion at the 
same time as that of the organization of the Chandler School, 
and the disagreement in one matter intensified the disagreement 
in the other, so that when the conduct of the School was consid- 
ered by the Board the division in the Faculty reappeared there. 
During the discussion concerning the Chandler School the Presi- 
dent read to the Faculty the paper which he had prepared to 
present to the Board upon the subject. After discussion and 
adjournment he read at another meeting an additional state- 
ment, whereupon the Faculty adopted a series of votes which 
the President transmitted to the Board. What followed is best 
shown by a statement made by the President to the Board at 
an adjourned meeting and indicating the attitude of Mr. Tuck, 
one of the newer members of the Board, and the situation that 
had developed there. 

Upon this [the reading of the President's statement and the presentation 
of the votes of the Faculty] it was represented by a member of the Board that 
the Faculty had not been properly consulted by the President; that they felt 
themselves to have had no sufficient opportunity for giving their opinions 
on the subject in question; that they disapproved of the President's pro- 
posed plan, and had recommended it in one of their votes only in connection 
with other votes which in their view entirely nullified their recommendation, 
and were passed by the Faculty for that purpose. 

The member of the Board who made this representation professed to 
have received it from a private member of the Faculty, who claims to speak 
the mind of all but one or two members of the Faculty who had been present 
at their discussion of the subject. 

It has so happened that on other occasions the Board have been called by 
the same member to act upon representations of matters affecting deeply 
the interests of the College which he professed to have received from private 
members of the Faculty. 

A consequence has been that misunderstandings, jealousies, and controver- 
sies have ensued which have resulted in great embarrassments, and that 
difficulties have been created seriously harmful to the interests of the College. 

The President will feel greatly embarrassed in carrying out the law imposing 
upon him his peculiar official duties, and will be wholly discouraged from a 
faithful performance of them if his communications to the Board are to be 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 303 

judged of not upon their own merits, or the merits of any subject proposed 
by him, upon the scrutiny of the Board, but in subjection to private communi- 
cations between individual members of the Faculty and individual members 
of the Board, which are necessarily partial and superficial, and possibly one- 
sided, prejudiced, and though unintentionally yet really and almost necessarily 
fitted to produce confusions, and admit of being instrumental of subserving 
dangerous finesse and injurious combinations. 

The President respectfully suggests that he has supposed himself to have 
sustained perfectly friendly and confidential relations both to the Board 
and the Faculty till recent occurrences of the kind above mentioned have, 
at least, seemed to him to have produced distrust and jealousy. As he is 
perfectly unconscious of any disposition or act really fitted to disturb such 
relations, he begs that all his official acts may not be interpreted by the Board or 
any member of it in view merely of partial, private and possibly wrong rep- 
resentations of private persons. 

During the years in which these changes were taking place 
events had occurred that deserve a passing mention. In the 
general lack of diversion and variety holidays and public occa- 
sions were heartily observed. The Fourth of July was always 
an occasion of celebration in Hanover or the surrounding towns. 
In 1 85 1 a serious accident occurred in connection with a cele- 
bration on that day. Several men, firing an old iron cannon 
that was placed on the west side of the green, were injured by a 
premature discharge. One of them, a man from Lyme, named 
Kimball, was killed. All of them were under the influence of 
liquor and attempted to fire the gun too rapidly. A charge which 
was put in before the gun had been thoroughly swabbed out 
after a discharge exploded as it was being rammed home. The 
ramrod passed through Kimball's neck, and continuing its course 
by the north end of Reed Hall was shivered against the large 
elm that now stands nearly in front of Bartlett Hall. The man 
who was handling the ramrod with Kimball was also seriously 
injured, while John Cote, who was "thumbing the vent," was 
badly burned about the body. It was, however, a temperance 
lesson that lasted him all his life. 

In October of 1852 the College was greatly stirred by the death 
of Daniel Webster. The news of his death reached Hanover 
on the evening of Sunday, the 24th, and made a profound im- 
pression. On the next morning the college buildings were draped 
in black, flags were put at half mast, all college exercises were 
suspended and a meeting of the Faculty, students and citizens 
was held in the chapel to commemorate the event. Over the 
President's chair was a large portrait of Webster bordered with 
crape. The aged Professor Shurtleff was made chairman. After 



304 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

he had offered a prayer and the Handel Society had sung a dirge, 
Professor Brown offered a series of appropriate resolutions, 
which he supported by a short address and was followed by 
William H. Duncan of Hanover and the Hon. Jonathan Kit- 
tridge of Canaan, both ardent admirers of Mr. Webster. Pro- 
fessor Shurtleff, who had known Mr. Webster in College, added 
the note of personal reminiscence.^ 

"When I came to enter this Institution in 1797," said he, "I put up with 
others from the same academy at what is now called the Olcott House [now 
Dr. Leeds's, then Ford's tavern], which was then a tavern. We were con- 
ducted to a chamber, where we might brush our clothes and make ready for 
examination. A young man, a stranger to us all, was soon ushered into the 
room. Similarity of object rendered the ordinary forms of introduction 
needless. We learned that his nam.e was Webster, also where he had studied, 
and how much Latin and Greek he had had, which I think was just to the 
limit prescribed by law at that period, and which was very much below the 
present requisition. 

"Mr. Webster, while in college, was remarkable for his steady habits, his 
intense application to study, and his punctual attendance upon the pre- 
scribed exercises. I know not that he was absent from a recitation, or from 
morning and evening prayers in chapel, or from public worship on the Sabbath; 
and I doubt if ever a smile was seen upon his face during any religious e.xercise. 
He was always in his place and with a decorum suited to it. He had no colli- 
sion with any one, nor appeared to enter the concerns of others, but emphati- 
cally minded his own business. " 

One of the resolutions called for the appointment of some one 
to deliver before the graduates and students a eulogy upon Mr. 
Webster. For this service the thoughts of all turned irresistibly 
toward Rufus Choate, the friend and associate of Webster, 
and the only one among the graduates who approached him 
in forensic and deliberative eloquence. He accepted the invita- 
tion that was given and the delivery of the eulogy made memo- 
rable the Commencement of the next year. 

Long before the day of the eulogy arrived every room in the 
village was engaged, and when it came the village was filled to 
overflowing; the attendance of graduates in particular surpassed 
all previous records, and one reporter declared that if accommo- 
dations could have been found ten th(TUsand people would have 
come. The eulogy was delivered on Wednesday, July 26, 
and was set for three o'clock in the afternoon, but the unprec- 
edented crowd caused delay in forming the procession and it 
did not reach the church till four. In anticipation of the crowds 
it had been proposed to erect a mammoth tent on the Common, 

' Journal of Commerce, Boston, November S, 1852. 




.^^e^^^^^t^^ 



1828-1863.] Admmistration of President Lord. 305 

but the project was not carried out, and the church proved 
entirely inadequate to hold those who desired admission, for 
after it was filled to its utmost capacity more were excluded 
than found entrance. At one time it seemed as if the throng 
would force its way into the church and take possession of it 
before the procession arrived, but the measures taken by the 
marshal of the day, William H. Duncan, proved sufficient to 
prevent it. 

The occasion was vividly described by a local paper.^ 

The procession was formed in the front of the college buildings; what a 
mass of squeezed, compressed, and closely wedged and moving humanity 
was there, stretching away from the door of the chapel, round the common 
two thirds of the way to the church, while the compacted crowd in front of 
the church, taking the best position for ingress by rush when the doors should 
be opened, looked in the distance like a swarm of bees clinging to the sides 
of the hive. Guard chains were stretched from the church door to the Common 
fence, and a strong police force stationed to check the crowding masses. The 
body of the house was filled with Alumni and students — in every seat, in 
every aisle, on the platform, in the porch, and on the stairs, — while every 
inch of the galleries was densely packed with ladies — and crowds of others 
through the long service stood on platforms raised about the windows, or 
hung about the doors, while multitudes were unable to approach even within 
hearing distance. Entering the house, the eye was struck with the inter- 
wreathed black and white drapeiy hung around the galleries, while a large 
and life-like picture of Webster suspended from the wall in the rear of the 
pulpit, and draped in mourning, at once brought over the house the solem- 
nity of a funeral. The Germania band played a solemn dirge; the Rev. Dr. 
Fisher of Cincinnati offered a devout and befitting prayer, and the orator 
arose to speak. 

Under the portrait, which was draped with crape, were in 
large gilt letters Mr. Webster's last words: "/ Still Live/' The 
audience was notable from its character as well as its size. On 
the platform, that stretched across the end of the church, were 
the dignitaries of the College and men of eminence from all 
parts of the country, lawyers, judges, senators and representa- 
tives of all positions in public life, friends and associates of 
both Mr. Webster and Mr. Choate, who had come to hear Ameri- 
ca's greatest living orator pay his tribute of respect and affec- 
tion, at the hearth of a common mother, to America's greatest 
orator among the dead. It was a little after four when Mr. 
Choate began to speak and for almost two hours and a quarter 
he held the dense and eager assembly in almost breathless silence. 
As fitted the occasion he employed little of his customary action 

1 Dartmouth Advertiser, September, 1853. 



3o6 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

and vehemence, and though he had his manuscript upon a desk 
beside him he omitted much that he had written, and before 
the close of his address he was obUged by the darkness brought 
on by a gathering storm to abandon his notes altogether. The 
tradition of the wonderful effect of the address, not diminished 
by its later publication, continues at the College to the present. 

The presence of so many strangers overtaxed the resources 
of the place and severe criticisms were made upon the enter- 
tainment provided. The innkeepers, in particular, were accused 
of charging extortionate prices and of providing accommodations 
that lacked in neatness and comfort. On the next day in connec- 
tion with the ordinary diversions of Commencement day, which 
are elsewhere spoken of, there was said to be "an unusual amount 
of fighting, drinking and general rowdyism in and about certain 
underground liquor dens, one of which was connected with 
the principal hotel in the village," ^ where at the very time the 
Commencement dinner was spread two bars were in active 
operation. 

It was natural that the Commencement of the next year should 
seem quiet in comparison, but it had one element of distinction 
in the appearance, for the last time to the present day, of a full- 
blood Indian having a part on the Commencement stage. Joseph 
P. Folsom, a member of the Choctaw tribe, "interested the 
audience more than any other speaker, not that his oration 
was of a higher order than those of his associates, but his color, 
his figure, his theme and his earnest plea for his race, all excited 
sympathy." ^ 

In that year was formed the present Association of the Alumni 
with Judge Joel Parker as president, Professor Sanborn as secre- 
tary, and with four vice-presidents and seven curators. It was 
voted to have an address before the alumni at the next Com- 
mencement, and Salmon P. Chase was chosen to deliver it. 
When the time came, however, he was unable to attend and 
Professor Brown appeared in his place with a very scholarly 
address of a semi-historical character, which was afterward 
printed by order of the Association. It was also voted that the 
Association should be represented by an address at Commence- 
ment every third year, and Rufus Choate was selected as the 
orator for 1858. Interest was also given to the Commencement 
by an address before the literary societies by Wendell Phillips. 
Some opposition had arisen to his coming, and he took for his 

« Granite State Whig, August S. i8S3- Granite State Whig, August, 4» i854- 



1 828-1 863-] Administration of President Lord. 307 

theme "The Right of Individual Judgment and Speech," which 
was set forth with all his customary brilliancy, but in a way that 
was regarded by some as of questionable taste. The attendance 
of alumni was unusually large, but the attempts at hospitality 
by the College ended unhappily. "The alumni dined," said 
a visitor, "or endeavored to dine together at the American 
House [where the tavern now stands] at a late hour. The ac- 
commodations and attendance were so miserably insufficient 
as to render the edibles of little avail, welcome as they would 
have been to such as had been engaged, fasting, from eight in 
the morning to four or five in the afternoon. "^ But lack of edibles 
did not limit the flow of eloquence and the after dinner speaking 
continued till dark. 

To the Commencement of 1854 a slightly unusual character 
was given by the establishment of class-day, which was cele- 
brated without the variety of exercises that have marked its 
later observance. The class gathered at the chapel and after 
a prayer by Professor Brown marched to the old pine. There, 
lying upon the grass, they listened to an oration and a poem by 
members of the class, then returning to the chapel joined in 
a class song, after which there was an informal meeting open to 
all.' This scanty programme was enlarged in 1856 by an 
address to the President at his house, and by chronicles and 
prophecies, and in later years by many addresses of various 
kinds. The innovation was not regarded with entire favor, but 
it quickly won its way and became, at least in the eyes of the 
students, one of the most important events of the week, and 
claimed Tuesday afternoon as its own till Commencement day 
was brought back to Wednesday, in 1893, when class-day was 
likewise placed a day earlier, on Monday. 

Not long before Commencement the College and town v/ere 
greatly aroused over politics, the sentiment running strongly 
in favor of Fremont and Dayton, and a large Republican club 
was organized in which senior Edward F, Noyes (afterward 
governor of Ohio) was the leading debater. He was bright, 
forceful and ready, and made many political speeches in the 
neighboring towns. A debate in the chapel between him and 
the Democratic postmaster. Rev. Daniel F. Richardson, made 
no end of fun for the students. Under the direction of the club 
a beautiful and symmetrical flagstaff, 120 feet high, was erected 
near the center of the Common. It consisted of two masts with 

> Vertnonl Chronicle, July 31, iSsS- Account of Rev. Dr. C. Caverno of 1854. 



3o8 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

a large wheel at the crosstree, on which stood a log cabin of 
painted canvas. The pole was made by two students, Hunawill 
and Vose, shipwrights from Maine. It was raised whole, but 
with some difficulty and danger. When it was about half way 
up, the rope began to show signs of giving way, and a student 
named Wellington undertook to climb to the top of the shears 
by one of the guys and fasten another. He started with the 
heavy rope tied about his body, but just as he reached the top 
he fainted from heat and overexertion and fell headforemost 
into the hole dug for the pole, breaking one arm and narrowly 
escaping breaking his neck. His injuries, though serious, did 
not prove fatal. This pole stood until 1869 and was often used 
by the students for other purposes than those for which it was 
intended, as the crosstree was a convenient place for the display 
of objects to which they wished to call attention. An object 
could be raised to the crosstree and the ropes so fixed that the 
only way of displacing the object was by climbing the pole. 
More than once effigies of persons displeasing to the students 
thus dangled in mid-air and were brought down only with great 
difficulty and delay, the process always affording great amuse- 
ment to the College.^ 

Two more Commencements of the period were made note- 
worthy by the public addresses then given. Rufus Choate was 
expected to give the address before the alumni in 1858, but 
was prevented from so doing by failing health. The Phi Beta 
Kappa Society assumed the responsibility for the day and secured 
Oliver Wendell Holmes as its orator. Recognizing the disap- 
pointment that might be felt at the absence of Mr. Choate he 
began his address, which was upon the relation of poetry and 
science, with an apology so winning and so witty as to forbid 
the feeling of loss on the part of the audience.^ 

If a party of travellers, expecting to witness an eruption of Vesuvius, should 
be met by a deputation of magistrates and informed that, owing to unforeseen 
circumstances, the eruption would not take place, but that instead of it they 

> On one occasion the effigy of a New Hampshire judge, who had made himself obnoxious to 
the students was thus suspended from the pole. An investigation followed in which a student 
was asked if he had any part in raising to the crosstree the man who had there fixed the effigy, 
and he promptly replied, "I did not," and was dismissed. After graduation he met Professor 
Aiken and, recalling the circumstance, asked him if he remembered his reply. "Yes," said 
Professor Aiken, "but I always felt that you were not telling the truth." "I did," he replied, 
"for I was the man who was pulled up. " Another man, noted for his untidy person and slovenly 
dress, on being called before the Faculty, admitted that he was disguised. On being questioned 
as to the nature of his disguise he hesitated and stammeringly said, "Well — I — I had on a clean 
shirt." [History of the class of 1863 by John Scales, pp. 21-24.] 

* Vermont Chronicle, August 3, 1858. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 309 

would burn several Roman candles and a pin-wheel, the reception of the 
gentleman making such an announcement might be respectful, but would 
hardly be enthusiastic. 

If a company of tourists had gathered from many distant regions in the 
village of Niagara, intending to inspect its illustrious waterfall, and should 
receive a polite note, regretting that the cataract had met with an accident, 
and would be unable to perform, but happy to announce that Engine Company 
Number 5 would gratify them in place, by playing through a two-inch hose 
with their unrivalled machine, the engine company might, perhaps, expect 
to be received with temperate expressions of delight, calm, if not cool, as 
contrasted with the reception which the body in question is in the habit of 
anticipating. 

Yet it would not be fair to reproach the magistrates or the fire company 
because they could not make the show of Vesuvius or Niagara. If the travellers 
had rather see the Roman candles or the two-inch stream than nothing at 
all, it is d very proper and good-natiired thing on the part of those worthy 
folk to gratify them. The more kindly among the disappointed visitors would 
abstain from regrets and especially from comparisons, and say with hearty 
good will, "Fire your pieces, most excellent Signors, " or "Play away, Number 
Five. " 

If there is any possible moral application to be got from these supposed in- 
cidents, I shall leave it to your ingenuity to discover it. If any burst of vol- 
canic flame for which you were looking has failed to meet your expecting eyes, 
and in place of its corruscating column of liquid fires, its wreaths of burning 
vapor shot far up into the arching heavens, rising and spreading as it soars 
until it wears the semblance of that mighty pine tree to which Pliny the Younger 
compared the smoky column of Vesuvius; if in the place of that you must 
accept a small display of pyrotechnics; if any great cataract you had hoped 
to look upon has failed to burst upon your waiting vision, and in place of 
its outspread glories, first, the broad, calm, gentle flow coming from deep reser- 
voirs high up among the mountains, then the swifter rush of the stream, and 
then the flashes and the fierce eddies of the rapids, and at last the long continu- 
ous overflow with all the music of its almost interminable descent, and the 
rainbow painted on its mists; if in the place of that you must be content with 
a small show of artificial hj'draulics, know how to be courteous and generous, 
and even thankful for what must in the very face of it be as pure and simple 
an act of self-immolation as was ever exhibited by the most unwilling candi- 
date for public office. 

An object of interest at this Commencement was the series 
of six sculptured slabs from Nineveh, of which an account is 
elsewhere given. They were then for the first time displayed 
to the public, having been placed in a room in Reed Hall arranged 
for the purpose. At the same time there was put on exhibition 
a marble bust of President Lord by the sculptor, Ball, which 
was presented to the College by the graduating class. The 
Commencement of i860 was also marked by a large concourse 
of the alumni, who came to pay honor to the memory of Rufus 



310 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. Xll. 

Choate, who had died the year before. As seven years before 
he had spoken in commemoration of Daniel Webster, so now it 
seemed fitting that he, perhaps the second name in honor on 
the college roll, should receive a like tribute. But, unhappily, 
there was no one with corresponding gifts of eloquence to pro- 
nounce his eulogy. Judge Ira Perley was, however, chosen for 
the task, and the address which he gave was discriminating and 
able, but his voice was so weak and his delivery so lacking in 
vigor that many were unable to hear him, and the effect was 
disappointing in the extreme, in sorrowful contrast to Choate's 
own tribute to Webster. 

During this period several fires occurred in the village. In 
August of 1854 the wooden toll bridge over the river, which had 
become the object of bitter controversy, was destroyed by a fire 
that was supposed to be of incendiary origin. The loss of the 
bridge occasioned great inconvenience, for the community was 
forced to depend upon a ferry, which was quite difficult of access, 
as the only means of crossing the river. A fierce agitation for a 
new free bridge at once arose, but it was crowned with success 
only after four years. The account of it is elsewhere found. On 
the evening of December 8, 1855, the house of Joseph Pinneo, 
formerly the residence of Dr. Nathan Smith, and afterward used 
by the A. K. E. Society, standing nearly in front of the present 
Nathan Smith Laboratory, was burned to the ground. The 
medical building was several times on fire, but was saved by the 
engine company. Mr. Pinneo, who was a nurseryman, lost a 
large quantity of young fruit trees which were stored in his cellar. 

On the 28th of September of the next year, soon after the open- 
ing of the college term, a building known as the Burke house and 
owned by President Lord, standing in front of the present passage- 
way between Culver and South Fayerweather Halls, and occu- 
pied largely by the students, was burned. The fire occurred 
early in the evening and no one was injured, though the building 
was entirely destroyed. On the 29th of January, 1859, occurred 
the largest fire in Hanover for many years. About eleven o'clock 
at night a row of three barns in the rear of the Tontine, owned 
by Mr. J. G. Currier and occupied as a livery stable, was wholly 
consumed. So rapid was the fire that several horses were burned 
with the building. 

About 1856 a decided interest in boating arose in the College 
and several boat clubs were formed, which together made up the 
"Dartmouth Flotilla." The clubs were composed of members 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 311 

of different classes, as the Camilla Club of 1858, the Nina Club 
of 1859, the Naiad Queen Club of i860, the Phi Beta Club of 
1861 and the Scylla Club of 1862. Most of these clubs had four- 
oared boats, but there were one or two boats of six or eight oars. 
The crews were uniformed and there was much rivalry between 
them. The interest did not extend much beyond 1862, and in 
fact almost at the outset the Flotilla had a crushing blow. In 
1857 it had secured with much difficulty, and by the united effort 
of all the clubs, the construction of a heavy raft, which was 
anchored just below the bridge, and supported a commodious 
boathouse. In August there was an unusually heavy rainfall 
of nearly two inches in as many days, which caused a freshet 
and, breaking the chain by which the raft was held, carried it 
down the stream with the house and seven boats upon it. They 
were swept over the dam below and destroyed. The loss was 
bewailed in the next issue of the college paper in the following 
unique manner:' 

Sic transit gloria mundi, was our exclamation as we heard of the recent dis- 
aster to our Flotilla. That last rain was a "damper." A moderate freshet 
consequent upon a smart shower carried off the new floating boathouse with 
seven boats moored in and around it. Such was their attachment to it that they 
followed it to destruction, in the shape of a mill-dam two miles and a half 
below. There only remains a floating debt and it is very much to be regretted 
that this had not gone with the rest. Felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas 
has always been a sentiment of human nature, and is particularly the feeling 
here at present, as no one can tell what started the establishment adrift. It 
must have been a moving spectacle as it disappeared. The news that it had 
started down stream spread like wild fire and all possible efforts were made to 
recover it, but even the sheriff could not have arrested it. From the boat- 
house proudly floated the flag presented by the "nuns" [the name applied to 
the members of Professor Hubbard's young ladies' school]. When we heard 
of the loss of that we may truly say, "Our color left us. " 

After mentioning the difTerent boats that were lost the writer 
refers to one in particular, named "Billie" and noted for its 
extreme slowness, which, he says, "after going over two dams 
was picked up twelve miles below unharmed. Whether the 
dam 'got the worst of it,' or whether the 'Billie' was unable to 
attain the speed necessary to 'break things,' we cannot say." 

The rains which caused the freshet of 1857 were not the only 
unusual meteorological condition of that year, for January had 
not only had the coldest day, but it was the coldest month during 
the twenty-three years covered by the records. On the 24th the 

> Dartmouth Phoenix, September, 1857. 



312 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XII. 

thermometer was —39°, and that was the fourth day in a suc- 
cession of days when the average temperature had been —25.8° 
at 7.00 A. M., —1° at noon and —12.7° at 9.00 in the evening. 
These temperatures were at the observatory, where the records 
are usually several degrees higher than in the village, and still 
higher than in neighboring low places, as the railroad station. 
On that coldest night one prudent man, who lived near the 
station, observing his thermometer in the evening at —39° and 
rapidly descending brought the instrument into the house lest 
the mercury in freezing should swell and hurst the bulb. At 
Littleton on that night a gentleman exposed a teaspoonful of 
free mercury, which in the morning was frozen as hard as lead. 
A like degree of cold did not occur in Hanover again for about 
fifty years. 

In the summer of 1856 a radical change was made in the morn- 
ing exercises which were put from that time forth after breakfast. 
The interior of the chapel in Dartmouth Hall was also rearranged 
so as to prevent the old and inveterate vice of rushing out the 
freshmen at the close of services. Till then the stage and plat- 
form had been at the eastern end of the room, opposite the en- 
trance, and the organ and choir in the gallery over the entrance. 
The seniors of course sat in front next the platform and the fresh- 
men in the rear next the doors. These opened from each aisle 
into a narrow entry, where steps descended on either side to the 
exit, which was given by one central door. It would be impossible 
to devise anything better adapted for a rush, with the freshmen 
crowded into the narrow passages by the other classes pushing 
behind them and the Faculty safely penned in the rear. It was 
a happy thought that inverted this arrangement and gave the 
officers of the College as well as the freshmen the advantage of 
position. The stage was changed to the west end of the room 
between the aisles, the choir was put opposite, and the freshmen, 
being put in the rear and in the other aisle from the sophomores, 
could go out at their leisure without disturbance. At the same 
time the single door of exit in the center was closed, the entry 
having been thrown into the main room, and two doors were 
opened at the sides, one at each aisle. This change virtually 
put an end to the disgraceful rushes, in which serious injuries 
were sometimes inflicted, of which a sad example, in 1851, was 
the breaking of a freshman's leg. 

The relief from the early morning exercises suggested relief 
from other exercises that were beginning to seem oppressive. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 313 

and the desirability of giving up evening prayers was earnestly 
discussed. The matter came up in the Board in the October 
meeting of i860, but was laid over. In July of the next year the 
Faculty recommended that they be abandoned, and in the fol- 
lowing September voted to omit them "for the remainder of the 
term as an experiment," and to change the order of the morning 
chapel by having the bell toll five minutes earlier than before, 
and by introducing singing and by informing the students "that 
there must be no tardiness. " The experiment was a success and 
evening prayers on week days were never resumed. The injunc- 
tion against tardiness met with success as no one was allowed to 
enter the chapel after the bell had "run down. " It v/as custom- 
ary for the bellman, when the end of the ringing came, to turn 
the bell to its highest point and then to run for chapel, and the 
bell was so long in coming to rest that he had time to go down 
two flights of stairs and enter the chapel before the last stroke, 
and no one entered after him. 

It was not, however, so eas}^ to bring the students to time in 
some other things, as public speaking, in which it had always been 
difficult to secure punctuality. Professor Brown, who had charge 
of the exercise, could not even by tearful entreaty bring men 
upon the stage at their assigned dates, and the Faculty was at 
its wits' end in trying to bring about a reformation. One expedi- 
ent after another was resorted to. In 1859 it was voted that 
students who had failed in public speaking should not be allowed 
to take their examinations. This measure having failed of 
its purpose, it was decided two years later that if a student failed 
to speak at the regular time he should be required to speak in 
two weeks, and if he then failed he should "cease to be a member 
of College." So drastic a measure could not be carried out, or 
mercy triumphed, for in a few months the penalty was changed 
to a "partial course." But even this could not be enforced and 
the Faculty confessed their inability to meet the situation by 
soon after referring the whole subject to Professors Brown and 
Noyes, who could think of nothing more effective than to refuse 
to advance to senior standing juniors who had failed to appear 
at the proper time, leaving the seniors to be dealt with by Pro- 
fessor Brown, as best he could. The exercise suffered from the 
same difficulty till it came to an end in 1897. 

The appointment of Commencement speakers by lot had never 
commended itself to the entire Faculty, and several attempts 
were made at different times to reintroduce the merit roll as the 



314 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI I. 

basis of appointment. A futile attempt by a majority of the 
Faculty in 1848 to restore the Latin salutatory occasioned almost 
an explosion and an appeal to the Board, but without the effect 
of dislodging the system. The subject in general came up again 
in 1857 upon a memorial of the Association of Dartmouth Alumni 
in Boston and vicinity, recommending the establishment of a 
system that would recognize the award of honors and of prizes 
to be supported not only by donations which were to be solicited, 
but also by existing funds and by taking the matter of scholar- 
ship into account in the assignment of aid from the ministerial 
and state endowments. 

In reply to this memorial the Trustees, in a pamphlet of fifty- 
four pages from the pen of the President, set forth that the 
terms of gift in the case of the Second College grant, the funds 
from the township of Wheelock, the ministerial funds and the 
Chandler fund, precluded their use for "best" as distinguished 
from "indigent" students, and that apart from that fact the 
appeal to ambition or emulation, which was "ambition set on 
fire," was a principle of education both vicious and destructive, 
and not in accord with the true purpose of a Christian college. 
They, therefore, in renewed allegiance to the principle to which 
they had so long adhered, supported the President in his opposi- 
tion to all forms of rivalry, and no change was made till the 
accession of President Smith, when prizes and scholarship honors 
resumed their place in the administration of the College. 

The year of 1861 was marked by the death of three men whose 
connection with the college had been long and important. In 
January Professor Haddock died at his home in West Lebanon. 
Though he had had no immediate relation to the College since 
his resignation, yet his warm interest in it and his near neigh- 
borhood, combined with his winning personality, gave him an 
importance that survived the formal separation. Professor Shurt- 
lefT died on the 4th of February at the age of 88, having been 
professor emeritus for twenty-three years. He was the last of 
those who had taken part in the great controversy on the college 
side. A few supporters of the University, President Allen and 
Mr. Hale, still remained, but court and counsel, and all interested 
for the College had gone, and with the death of Professor Shurt- 
lefT, about whom the controversy had begun and who had stood 
manfully by his post during the whole of it, memory gave way 
to tradition. Soon after the opening of the academic year, the 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 315 

college met a serious loss in the death of Professor Long, who 
died on the 14th of October, lamented by all who knew him. 

The financial condition of the College during these years was 
very straitened. Wants were constantly increasing without a 
corresponding increase of revenue. In 1858 it was determined 
once more to resort to a subscription, and one for $100,000, to 
become binding when $30,000 should be subscribed, was set on 
foot. But the times were not propitious, the great financial 
panic of the year before not having spent itself, and the alumni 
were not responsive. Some were, perhaps, offended at the fail- 
ure of their memorial in regard to honors and prizes, and some 
in the political unrest did not separate their feeling toward the 
College from their disapproval of the ethical and pro-slavery 
views of its President. The subscription fell fiat and an attempt 
to renew it in 1859 was even less successful, the resignation of 
Judge Joel Parker in that year, brought about by disagreements 
in the Board, having an adverse influence. A little less than 
$1,600 was actually received from it. The only immediate 
resource was to raise the tuition, which was much lower than 
in other colleges. In 1855 it had been set at I42 without inci- 
dentals and in i860 it was again raised to $51 a year. The relief 
thus obtained was not suflficient, and on the death of Professor 
Long economy forbade the appointment of a successor, and the 
duties of his chair were divided between Professor Noyes and 
Professor Patterson without additional compensation. The 
repeated request for an increase of salaries by the professors 
was steadily met with an acknowledment of the justice of the 
request, but with a confession of the impossibility of granting it 
in the existing state of the treasury and a promise of increase at 
the earliest practicable moment. The frequency of the request 
and the denial might almost have justified a stereotyped form. 

The spring of 1861 brought to the College, as to the country, 
the stern fact of war. Of course there was excitement, but 
there was no thought of a prolonged struggle and the call by 
President Lincoln for 75,000 volunteers for three months, "or 
the war" as the phrase went, indicated the general belief that the 
campaign would be little more than a summer's march to Rich- 
mond. In this belief the college shared, but the division of the 
country was brought home to it by the fact that on the first news 
of the firing on Sumter the half dozen students in college from 
south of Mason and Dixon's line immediately packed their 
trunks and departed, most of them to enter the southern army. 



3i6 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xii. 

Except for them there was httle break in the college ranks. 
Two men left before Commencement, Charles Lee Douglas of the 
class of 1862 of the Chandler School, who enlisted May 8, 1861, 
in the First New Hampshire Regiment, and who thus has the 
honor, so far as known, of being the first undergraduate to enter 
the Union army, and three days later Francis William Perkins 
of the senior class, who enlisted in the Second New Hampshire 
Regiment. But though no other students entered the service 
at that time yet their interest was shown in the formation in the 
early summer by forty-one members of the sophomore class of 
a military company, known as the Dartmouth Zouaves.^ The 
company had a captain and two lieutenants, who held office for 
a week, the captain then falling back into the ranks and the 
others advancing from the lower to the higher grade, a second 
lieutenant being elected by the company to take the vacant 
place. Each captain on entering on his week of duty appointed 
a new sergeant and corporals. A treasurer of the company held 
office for a term. 

A drill was held each day, and sometimes morning and evening, 
when "the rail fence was usually lined with 'roosters,' from the 
other classes who looked on with approving interest." Lieu- 
tenant C. B. Stoughton from Norwich University across the river 
was engaged to drill the company, and to supply additional know- 
ledge of tactics $5 were invested in "Scott's Military Tactics," 
which passed from man to man and was carefully studied. The 
drills continued till Commencement and were resumed in the 
fall, but as Lieutenant Stoughton had gone to the war the com- 
pany drilled, though somewhat irregularly, under its own officers 
for the next year. In the fall of 1862, however, it secured Cap- 
tain Partridge from Norwich to continue the drill, and this he 
did greatly to the satisfaction of the company throughout the fall, 
the last drill being held on October 30. 

With the opening of the fall term it was evident that a much 
more active interest in the war had awakened. The renewed 
call for volunteers was arousing a sense of personal duty in rela- 
tion to the country, and before the close of the year, nineteen, in 
addition to six from the class that left the College in July, had 
exchanged the class room for the camp. During the following 
winter and spring a few only left College for the war, but when in 
May of 1862 came the rebel movement on Harper's Ferry and 
the threatened danger to Washington and President Lincoln's 

» Biographical Slcetches of the Class of 1863, by John Scales, pp. 32-38. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 317 

call for 40,000 troops for three months, the college spirit took 
fire. 

In the junior class at that time was a young man named San- 
ford S. Burr from Foxboro, Mass., nervous, impetuous and per- 
sistent. He was a good horseman and kept a horse at college 
and attracted much attention by his equestrian skill. Forming 
a plan of raising a company of cavalry to be composed exclusively 
of college students, he threw himself into the attempt with all 
his might, "talked war night and day and finally got a hundred 
students pledged to join his company for three months." He 
then applied to the Governor of New Hampshire to accept the 
company when it was ready to be mustered in, but the Governor 
saw no way of using the company, and similar replies came from 
the Governors of Maine and Massachusetts to whom Burr next 
applied. Finally an application to the Governor of Rhode 
Island was favorably considered and Burr received a telegram 
that the company would be accepted if it could be organized at 
once. The students were so excited by the news that for a few 
days the Faculty feared that the larger part of all the classes 
would join the company or even make two companies. 

It was a critical time for the College. It certainly would have 
been a serious detriment to it, as well as to the students them- 
selves, to have any considerable number of them break in upon 
their course of study for even a brief period of three months. 
President Lord gave the same advice that John Adams gave to 
a young law student in his office at the opening of the Revolution, 
that it was wiser to continue at his books. In this advice the 
members of the Faculty concurred, but beyond these counsels 
no attempt was made to influence the students.^ The counsels 
of the Faculty were supplemented in many cases by letters from 
home discouraging the martial ardor of the students, so that when 
the actual enlistment came but thirty-five from the College 
put down their names, and Burr was obliged to fill up the company 
to the requisite number of eighty-five by students from other 
institutions.^ The company left Hanover on the evening of 

1 An interesting account of the organization and service of this company is given in a little 
book, "The College Cavaliers," by S. B. Pettengill, a member of the company, published by 
H. McAllaster and Co. in Chicago in 1883 from which these facts are mainly taken. A short 
account is also given in Scales's "Biographical Sketches of the Class of 1863." The same 
writer gives a sketch of the company in Ayling's "Registry of New Hampshire for Soldiers 
and Sailors in the War of the Rebellion," p. 1089. 

2 Dartmouth furnished 33, Norwich University 23, Bowdoin and Union 4 each, and Amherst 
and Williams i each, while the college relation of 17, if any existed, is unknown. The company 
when mustered into sen/ice contained 3 officers and 82 enlisted men. 



3i8 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

June i8 and was escorted as far as the Junction by a large number 
of the students. The prayer of Dr. Lord at chapel the next 
morning was, without his knowledge, taken down stenographi- 
cally by a member of the class of 1863 and afterward printed 
and sent to each member of the company. As a characteristic 
prayer a part of it is given : 

We would, O Lord, especially commend to Thee those of our number who 
have just now gone out from us upon untried scenes of difficulty and danger, 
needing, as they so much do, the direction of Thy Providence and Thy Spirit, 
and the many helps which Thou only canst afford them. We ask that they 
may go in the fear and love of Thee; that they may be kept from all evil acci- 
dents, from the pestilence that walketh in darkness, and the destruction that 
wasteth at noonday; that they may feel their utter insufficiency without the 
strength and blessing of their Heavenly Father, and seek Thy favor constantly 
in fervent and effectual prayer. We ask that Thou wilt deliver them from the 
temptations by which they will be surrounded, and enable them to profit by 
all the discipline of Thy hand. We ask that whatever disappointments and 
reverses may await them may ensue to the attainment of a higher wisdom, and 
a deeper sense of their dependence on the God of Heaven. The Lord preserve 
them if it please Thee, in the enjoyment of life, and health, and reason, and 
grant that by repentance of sin, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and a sober, 
righteous and godly life, they may make it evident that they are called and 
blessed of Thee. Fit them to do and suffer all Thy will, and grant, most 
merciful Father, that if any of them should, in a distant region, be called to 
sickness or death, the Spirit of the living God may be with them, and prepare 
them for a better life, through the infinite merits of the Redeemer. 

Now, will God grant that all who here remain may feel more and more the 
responsibility of their calling, and the importance of a right use of the faculties 
and privileges Thou hast given them. Under a prevailing sense of Thee, accord- 
ing to Thy Gospel, and by a wise and faithful application of all their powers 
to the duties before them, may they be qualified for the effectual service of 
God and their country, and become eminent benefactors of mankind. 

The company reached Providence the next day and immediately 
took the oath of enlistment and with another company, enlisted 
in Providence, was formed into the seventh squadron of Rhode 
Island Cavalry, being known as Company B, and Burr was 
elected its captain. In the intervals of its drill during its ten 
days' stay in Providence the company was the object of many 
social attentions from the students of Brown University and the 
residents of the city, culminating in a grand dinner arranged by 
ex-governor Hoppin, at which Governor Sprague, President 
Sears and Professor Angell of the University and others made 
eloquent and patriotic speeches. On the 30th of June the com- 
pany reached Washington, having received a very hospitable 
reception at Philadelphia on the way, where "elegant handker- 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 319 

chiefs and fans were forced upon the acceptance of the students." 
It was mustered into service on the 3d of July, the muster rolls 
bearing date of June 24, and a bounty of $15 was given to each 
enlisted man. Nearly a month was spent in drilling and guard 
duty in and near the city of Washington, which made a very un- 
favorable impression upon the students. "Cattle, hogs, goats 
and dogs of the lowest degree roamed the streets and thronged 
about the camp. Few of the streets were graded and army 
wagons were often stalled in the principal avenues." 

About the first of August the squadron was despatched to 
Harper's Ferry, where for three weeks it was the only cavalry 
force attached to the command of General White, and it remained 
there till shortly before the surrender of the place, when with 
the rest of the cavalry on the night of September 14 it forced its 
way through General Jackson's lines. On the march it fell in 
with and captured a supply train of eighty-five wagons belonging 
to General Longstreet, and took it to Greencastle, Pa., which 
was reached on the morning of the 15th, the day before the 
beginning of the battle of Antietam. Although the term of en- 
listment of the "College Cavaliers" had expired they agreed to 
remain in the service till the enemy was driven out of Maryland, 
and being ordered to Jones's Cross Roads they were there held 
in reserve during the battle of the next two days. On the with- 
drawal of Lee to Virginia within a few days they returned to 
Providence, which they reached on the 26th of September, and 
of the original company seventy-six were there mustered out of 
service on the 2d of October. Of the remaining nine one, A. W. 
Coombs, a Norwich cadet, had died of typhoid fever in August, 
one was never accounted for, and seven, including two Dartmouth 
students, John H. Blodgett and Charles A. Manson, who had 
been taken prisoners and carried to Libby Prison, and five who 
had been sick in the hospitals at Washington or Harper's Ferry, 
were discharged on other dates. ^ 

Some of the company immediately re-enlisted but most re- 
turned to college where the fall term had already begun. On 
reaching Hanover the students were much surprised to find that 
they would be required to pass the regular examination which 
had been held during their absence at the close of the college 
year. To this they demurred, and their captain, Burr, went at 
once to Providence to see if they would be received at Brown 
University without such examination. A favorable reply was 

> The roster of the company with the above facts is given in Ayling's Register, pp. 1091-1093. 



320 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI I. 

given but before his return to Hanover, the Faculty, perhaps, 
having heard of his mission, informed the students that the exam- 
ination would be waived, and they all resumed their places. 

No other movement compared with this in the number of men 
who entered the army from the College at one time, but the im- 
pulse continued so strongly during the year that between Com- 
mencement and the end of the following December forty-five men, 
including graduates of that year and medical students, enlisted. 
Between that time and the next July few men left college for 
the army, but in the entire year of 1863 about twenty entered 
the service. After that enlistments of undergraduates were 
few, as most of those who were in college had settled the relative 
claims of student life and the army in favor of the former, and 
many who would otherwise have entered college, of whom some 
did enter after the close of the war, were serving as soldiers. 

The enrollment of the College at the beginning and the end of 
the war, as given in the catalogues of 1860-1861 and 1864-1865, 
shows how great a drain was made upon it by the enlistment of 
undergraduates and of those who would have entered. Between 
these two years the number of academic students had fallen from 
275 to 146, of Chandler students from 42 to 37, and of medical 
students from 51 to 47, and the total enrollment from 358 to 230. 
The response of the College to the call of patriotism in the service 
of its graduates and students is displayed in a "Roll of Honor," 
which contains the names of all who had part in the war. In it 
classes are represented from 1822 to 1884, including names of 
those who were long past the age of military service when the 
war broke out and yet responded to the call, and of those who 
were scarcely more than boys when they enlisted and who came 
to college after the war was over, bringing with them records of 
meritorious service, often attested by scars and disabling wounds. 
It would be invidious to single out individuals or classes of men 
for special mention when merit was conspicuous in every branch 
of the service, and it is enough to give the general statement of 
the "Roll of Honor," that "from the College and the Medical 
school Dartmouth contributed 652 of her Alumni and under- 
graduates — a larger percentage than any other college in the 
North." 

Of this number two hundred and four were commissioned as 
surgeons or assistant surgeons, thirty as second lieutenants, 
forty-seven as first lieutenants, sixty-seven as captains, sixteen 
as majors, twenty-one as lieutenant colonels, twenty-four as 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 321 

colonels, and four as brigadier generals, and some of these re- 
ceived additional honors "for meritorious conduct" in special 
engagements or for the war, three having the brevet rank of 
captain, one of major, three of lieutenant colonel, three of 
colonel, nine of brigadier general and three of major general. 

The outbreak of the war and the inevitable intensity of feeling 
that followed called the attention of the supporters of the College 
to the openly expressed pro-slavery sentiments of President Lord. 
In his early years he had been a hearty opponent of slavery, an 
abolitionist of a pronounced type, but about 1847 his views on 
that subject underwent a radical change, to which, it is said, 
he was brought in large degree by a pamphlet, published anony- 
mously, but written by B. F. French of Lowell, maintaining the 
divine origin of slavery. In 1854 Dr. Lord's views were brought 
prominently before the public in a published pamphlet of thirty- 
two pages, entitled "A Letter of Inquiry to Ministers of the 
Gospel of all Denominations on Slavery by a Northern Pres- 
byter," urging them to consider slavery "as a question of Divine 
right, rather than of prudence, policy or economy, a question of 
the moral sense and judgments, rather than of the sensibilities 
and sympathies — of the divinities rather than the humanities ^ 

This first letter was published anonymously and drew out 
severe criticism. It was followed in the next year by a second 
letter with the same title over Dr. Lord's own signature, and 
in 1859 by a letter on the same subject to J. M. Conrad. In 
all these he defended slavery, "not as it existed in this country 
or as it ever existed anywhere on the whole," but per se apart from 
its abuses as an institution of God according to natural and 
revealed religion, that like war or pestilence was designed by God 
as a penalty for sin, and he called it a divine institution, not 
because it was blessed but because he believed that it was divinely 
ordered. These letters naturally excited the most ardent dis- 
cussion and opposition, and gave to President Lord prominence 
all over the country as the chief speculative champion of slavery 
at the North. The popularity thus acquired at the South drew 
a considerable number of students to the College from that 
section, but the advantages derived from that circumstance 
were far from commensurate with the disaffection aroused in 
its northern constituency. 

At the College these views had little effect for they were little in 
evidence; like the President's views on millenarianism they were 
never obtruded upon the students and as far as they were known 



322 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. Xll. 

were regarded as "peculiarities," which had as little to do with 
the President's official and personal relation to the students 
as physical peculiarities would have had. Away from the College 
it was different; there the opinions and not the man were con- 
sidered, for men judge of strangers by their opinions, but of 
acquaintances by their character. In the increasing tension of 
public feeling and the more definite allignment of the anti-slavery 
and pro-slavery parties, these letters on slavery, which though 
addressed to ministers were generally read, called attention to 
Dr. Lord personally and to the College over which he presided 
as not in sympathy with the feeling dominant at the North, and 
the opposition to his opinions became opposition to him and to 
the College and grew steadily more intense. 

At the outbreak of the war opinions, before regarded as purely 
speculative, came necessarily to have a practical bearing in men's 
minds and a crisis could not long be delayed. It was finally 
precipitated by a communication from his pen appearing in the 
columns of the Boston Courier for November 22, 1862. This 
was circulated without the consent of the author as a campaign 
document by the Democrats of Connecticut at the next election, 
but with inaccuracies and omissions, so that Dr. Lord afterward 
republished it in a pamphlet entitled, "A True Picture of Aboli- 
tion," which, following the reasoning of the "Letters," laid the 
blame for the existing war upon abolition as an attempt to sub- 
vert the moral government of God. The popular feeling at last 
found expression in a series of resolutions unanimously passed 
by the Merrimack County Conference of Congregational Churches 
at its session held June 23 and 24, 1863, at Webster and directed 
against Dr. Lord.^ 

1. Resolved, That the people of New Hampshire have the strongest desire 
for the prosperity of Dartmouth College, and that they rejoice in the wide 
influence this noble institution has exerted in the cause of Education and 
Religion. 

2. Resolved, That we cherish a sincere regard for its venerable President; 
for the rare qualifications he possesses for the high ofifice he has so long and so 
ably filled; but that we deeply regret that its welfare is greatly imperil'ed by 
the existence of a popular prejudice against it, arising from the publication 
and use of some of his peculiar views touching public affairs, — tending to em- 
barrass our government in its present fearful struggle, and to encourage and 
strengthen the resistance of its enemies in arms. 

3. Resolved, That in our opinion it is the duty of the Trustees of the College 

> Eleven members were present at the meeting of which Rev. Henry E. Parker of Concord, 
afterward professor in the College, was the moderator. [Records of the Conference.! 



1828-1863.I Administration of President Lord. 323 

to seriously inquire whether its interests do not demand a change in the Presi- 
dency; and to act according to their judgment in the premises. 

The annual meeting of the Trustees came upon Wednesday, 
July 21, and was attended by seven members ^ besides the Presi- 
dent. Its opening session indicated the influence of the political 
situation. Messrs. Tuck, Eastman and Delano were appointed 
a committee to recommend candidates for the degree of Doctor 
of Laws, but in place of their report Mr. Marsh offered a motion 
that the degree be conferred upon Abraham Lincoln and upon 
no one else. A long discussion followed, turning upon the politi- 
cal aspects of the motion, and when the vote was taken it stood 
four in the affirmative and four in the negative, the President 
voting in the negative and thus making a tie. Mr. Tuck pro- 
tested against his right to vote on the ground that, as moderator, 
he had no vote except to resolve a tie. An adjournment was 
taken to Friday morning, the day after Commencement, when 
Mr. Tuck presented the resolutions of the Merrimack County 
Conference with a motion that a committee be appointed to 
report what action ought to be taken thereon. The motion 
being carried, Mr. Tuck, Dr. Bouton, who was a member of 
the Conference which passed the resolutions, and Judge Eastman 
were appointed a committee, which brought in the following 
majority report: 

The Committee have taken into most respectful consideration the action 
of the Conference, and the sentiment pervading the Churches, of which the 
resolutions of the Conference are the expression. We do not forget, but 
thankfully avow the debt of gratitude which has rested upon the College, 
throughout its history, to the Churches of New England, and to the pious 
teachings and generous patronage of those included within their embrace. 
We are fully aware of the obligations of science and literature, in all past time, 
to the clerical profession; that the countenance and support of the Clergy and 
the Churches have ever been the chief reliance of this College, and that we can 
hope for little prosperity or usefulness to the Institution in future, without 
meriting the confidence bestowed upon it in the past. We deplore the present 
condition of the College in respect to the sentiments entertained towards it, 
as expressed in said resolutions, and we profess our readiness to do any act which 
our intimate knowledge of its affairs and circumstances enable us to judge prac- 
ticable and beneficial. Neither the Trustees nor the Faculty coincide with 
the president of the College in the views which he has published, touching 
slavery and the war; and it has been their hope that the College would not 
be adjudged a partisan institution, by reason of such publications. It has 
been our purpose that no act of ours should contribute to such an impression 
upon the public mind, inviting, as we do, all classes of our fellow citizens to 
contribute to its support, and to partake of its privileges. 

• Messrs. Barstow, Marsh, Nesmith, Bouton, Delano, Eastman and Tuck. 



324 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. XII. 

It would be impracticable, if it were wise to embody in this report all the 
reasons which induce us to propose no action by which the removal of the 
President from the head of the Institution should be undertaken by the Trus- 
tees; and we bespeak with confidence the favorable judgment that we act 
discreetly, from the members of the Conference who have expressed in their 
resolutions their generous appreciation of the eminent ability and qualifications 
of the President for the position which he occupies. 

Yet the Committee do not fail to see that the present crisis in the country 
is no ordinary conflict between opposing parties, but is a struggle between the 
Government on one side, and its enemies on the other, and that in it are in- 
volved vital issues, not only respecting science and learning, virtue and re- 
ligion, but also respecting all the social and civil blessings growing out of free 
institutions. 

The Committee recommend that the Resolutions of the Merrimack County 
Conference, this report and the accompanying resolutions, be published in 
pamphlet form, and that the Treasurer be directed to cause the same to be 
circulated among the members of said Conference, and other persons, accord- 
ing to his discretion. 

Hanover, N. H., July 24, 1863. 

Amos Tuck, 

N. BOUTON. 

The following resolutions accompanied the report: 

The Trustees of Dartmouth College, impressed with the magnitude of the 
crisis now existing in public affairs, and with the vital consequences which the 
issue of current events will bring to the nation and the world; and, considering 
that it is the duty of literary institutions and the men who control them to 
stand in no doubtful position when the Government of the country struggles 
for existence; inscribe upon their records, and promulgate the following 
Resolutions: 

First. We recognize and acknowledge with grateful pride, the heroic sacri- 
fices and valian t deeds of many of the sons of Dartmouth, in their endeavors 
to defend and sustain the Government against the present wicked and remorse- 
less rebellion; and we announce to the living, now on the battlefield, to the sick 
and maimed in the hospitals and among their friends, and to the relatives 
of such of them as have fallen in defense of their country, that Dartmouth 
College rejoices to do them honor, and will inscribe their names and their 
brave deeds upon her enduring records. 

Second. We commend the cause of our beloved country to all the Alumni 
of this Institution; and we invoke from them, and pledge our own most efficient 
and cordial support, and that of Dartmouth College, to the Government, which 
is the only power by which the rebellion can be subdued. We hail with joy, 
and with grateful acknowledgments to the God of our fathers, the cheering 
hope that the dark cloud which has heretofore obscured the vision and depressed 
the hearts of patriots and statesmen, in all attempts to scan the future, may in 
time disappear entirely from our horizon; and that American slavery, with 
all its sin and shame, and the alienations, jealousies, and hostilities between 
the people of different sections, of which it has been the fruitful source, may 
find its merited doom in the consequence of the war which it has evoked. 

Third. The Trustees bespeak for the College in the future the same cordial 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 325 

support and patronage of the Clergy' and Churches of New England, as well as 
other friends of sound learning, which they have given to it in time past, re- 
minding them of the obligations which the cause of education, science, and 
religion seem to lay upon them, to stand by this venerable Institution, in evil 
report and good report, in view of its past history and great service to the 
Church and the State, entertaining an abiding faith that it will triumph over 
all obstacles, and go down to posterity with its powers of usefulness unimpaired. 

On a motion by Dr. Barstow that the report be adopted, five * 
voted in the affirmative and two in the negative. On the adop- 
tion of the preamble and second resolution the vote was the same 
as on the adoption of the report. For the first and third resolu- 
tions the vote was unanimous. Immediately on the passage 
of the vote the President withdrew for a short time, and on his 
return presented the following letter: 

Dartmouth College, July 24, 1863. 
To The Trustees of Dartmouth College: 

In making this communication to the Hon. and Rev. Board of Trustees I 
take the liberty respectfully to protest against their right to impose any re- 
ligious, ethical, or political test upon any member of their own body or any 
member of the College Faculty, beyond what is recognized by the Charter of 
the Institution, or express statutes or stipulations conformed to that instru- 
ment, however urged or suggested, directly or indirectly, by individuals or 
public bodies assuming to be as Visitors of the college, or advisers of the 
Trustees. 

The action of the Trustess, on certain resolutions of the Merrimack County 
Conference of Churches, virtually imposes such a test, inasmuch as it im- 
plicitly represents and censures me as having become injurious to the College, 
not on account of any official malfeasance or delinquency, for, on the contrary, 
its commendations of my personal and official character and conduct during 
my long term of service, far exceed my merits; but, for my opinions and pub- 
lications on questions of Biblical ethics and interpretations, which are sup- 
posed by the Trustees to bear unfavorably upon one branch of the policy 
pursued by the present administration of the government of the country. 

For my opinions and expressions of opinion on such subject, I hold myself 
responsible only to God, and the constitutional tribunals of my country; 
inasmuch as they are not touched by the charter of the College, or any express 
statutes or stipulations. And, while my unswerving loyalty to the government 
of my fathers, proved and tested by more than seventy years of devotion to 
its true and fundamental principles, cannot be permanently discredited by 
excited passions of the hour, I do not feel obliged when its exercise is called in 
question, to surrender my moral and constitutional right and Christian liberty, 
in this respect, nor to submit to any censure, nor consent to any conditions such 
as are implied in the aforesaid action of the Board ; which action is made more 
impressive upon me, in view of the private communications of some of its 
members. 

> Messrs. Barstow, Bouton, Marsh, Nesmith and Tuck. Messrs. Eastman and Delano voted 
In the negative. 



326 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xil. 

But not choosing to place myself in any unkind relations to a body having 
the responsible guardianship of the College, a body from which I have received 
so many tokens of confidence and regard, and believing it to be inconsistent 
with Christian charity and propriety to carry on my administration, while 
holding and expressing opinions injurious, as they imagine, to the interests 
of the College, and offensive to that party which they here professedly repre- 
sent, I hereby resign my office as President. 

I also resign my office as Trustee. 

In taking leave of the College with which I have been connected, as Trustee, 
or as President more than forty years, very happily to myself, and, as the 
Trustees have often given me to understand, not without benefit to the College, 
I beg to assure them that I shall ever entertain a grateful sense ofthe favorable 
consideration shown to me by themselves and their predecessors in office, and 
I shall never cease to desire the peace and prosperity of the College, and that 
it may be kept true to the principles of its foundation. 
I am, very respectfully. 

Your Obed«. Serv., 

N. Lord. 

Dr. Lord then withdrew and a motion by Mr. Tuck to accept 
his resignation was laid on the table to be considered at an ad- 
journed meeting, which was set for August 17. It was accepted 
at that date and his successor was chosen, and at a meeting about 
a month later, on September 21, a resolution was adopted, "that 
in accepting the resignation of President Lord, we place on record 
a grateful sense of his services during the long period of his ad- 
ministration ; and his kind and courteous treatment of the Board 
in all their intercourse." A presidency of thirty-five years of 
unusual success, and a trusteeship of forty-two years might seem 
to have called for a more ready, if not more generous, acknowl- 
edgment, but the situation was a trying one. Under the 
circumstances the action of the Trustees leading to Dr. Lord's res- 
ignation was perhaps as natural as that of Dr. Lord was inevitable. 
When honest men hold irreconcilable opinions there can be only 
entire and magnanimous freedom of judgment and expression, 
or separation. It may have been too much to expect the former. 

It was a time of tremendous feeling when the perspective of 
calmer moments was impossible. The chord of patriotism was 
at its utmost tension under the passion of war. The opinion, 
however honestly held, that slavery was right, seemed to many 
no less than treason, and he who held it, even if not a personal 
traitor, seemed to give comfort to the enemy and to be not a 
proper person to hold a position of responsibility. It is always 
difficult to distinguish between opinions and character. Dr. 
Lord's pro-slavery views were in evidence away from the College, 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 327 

and in the general unrest many felt that it was injurious to the 
College not to have its head in sympathy with the prevailing 
opinion of the section in which it was placed. Sometimes there 
crept into criticisms a bitterness greater than the cause of truth 
would warrant, as when a distinguished clergyman from his 
pulpit pronounced a curse upon him, though in the same breath 
paying tribute to the singular purity of his life and character, 
but in times of excitement it is hard to make distinctions. The 
Trustees, having personally no sympathy with Dr. Lord's views 
and feeling their responsibility for the College before the public, 
took the action that seemed to clear themselves and the College 
from taint of error. The result they foresaw and expected, and 
to secure it were willing to establish a test of opinion which they 
knew would never be admitted by one to whom liberty of thought 
and speech was dearer than ofifice. 

The general feeling was well indicated by a newspaper corre- 
spondent, who after expressing his satisfaction for political reasons 
at the resignation of the President said,^ "Dr. Lord, notwith- 
standing his peculiarities, retires from the position he has so 
long filled, full of honors, and with the entire respect of men of 
every shade of opinion." 

The resignation of Dr. Lord was unhesitatingly made though 
it left him without means of support. The little patrimony 
which he had on coming to the College had been exhausted in 
supplementing a small salary, which had never been above $1,600, 
including the stipend from Moor's School, and in the education 
of a large family, of which eight were sons, who were carried 

» Granite State Whig, August i, 1863. This was not the view of Mr. Tuck. As has been 
implied, he was opposed to President Lord from the time of his entering the Board, and his 
judgment, at variance with that of Dr. Lord's other associates, is given in his Autobiographical 
Memoir, pp. 38, 39. Writing of his student days he says: 

"Dr. Nathan Lord was president of the College. He was a man of fine address, elegant man- 
ners and captivating rhetoric. At that time he had not developed his approval of American 
slavery, nor his pessimistic views of human destiny, but on the contrary was anti-slavery in 
sentiment, and in full accord with orthodox congregationalists of the most hopeful character. 
Judging him less by what I then observed than by what I subsequently saw when associated 
with him, as I afterwards was for ten years or more [1857-1863], in the Board of Trustees of 
the College, I am obliged to say he was a man of show rather than of utility to the College. 
Had he not been associated with men of greater executive ability than himself, and had in charge 
pupils thoroughly in earnest, as a general thing, to acquire thorough knowledge and effectual 
training, he would have made an early and manifest failure. He beguiled his associates in the 
Board of Trust for many years with delusive hopes of great things that would soon be accom- 
plished; and, after nearly forty years of connection with the college, left it without accomplish- 
ing anything. At the darkest period of the Civil War he resigned his office, because of personal 
disloyalty to the government, aggravated by the action of the Trustees in putting upon their 
records resolutions declaratory of the loyalty of the College and of the Board of Trust. A» 
a figure-head he was satisfactory to those who expected nothing from a college president In 
forming the character of pupils and impressing them with high aspiration. The best act of his 
o£Sclal life was the resignation of his position." 



328 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xii. 

through college without any lessening of its regular charges. On 
his retirement from the College a group of friends purchased an 
annuity of $1,200 for him, and he remained in Hanover in the 
quiet enjoyment of the respect and affection of his neighbors and 
associates until his death September 9, 1870. Three days later 
his funeral, held in the College church, was attended by many 
of the alumni who, together with a large company of friends, 
including six sons and two daughters, and with an escort of the 
student body of the College, followed him to the grave. At the 
Commencement of 1872 a eulogy upon him was given before the 
alumni by Dr. A. B. Crosby of the class of 1853. 

An administration of such great length as that of President 
Lord is judged by two different standards — the material and the 
moral. The former regards the fact and form of growth, the 
latter the principle and method of administration. By one 
standard the period may be prosperous, by the other unworthy, 
or it may succeed in both or fail in both. In the thirty-five years 
of Dr. Lord's presidency 2,675 graduates received their degrees 
at his hand, nearly three fifths of the whole number in the ninety- 
four years of the existence of the College, and, except for the 
extraordinary increase about 1840 and the decline immediately 
following, the number of students showed a consistent increase. 
The 125 academic students of 1828 increased to 275 in i860, a 
number that was exceeded only three times till 1894. The lowest 
point of depression was 196 in 1846, considerably above the figure 
of 1828, and from that it pretty steadily rose till i860. 

The effect of the Civil War, manifest in 1861, continued till 
1865, when the lowest point was reached with 146. For special 
reasons connected with demands of public service the Medical 
and Chandler courses were less affected. The general Faculty 
increased during these thirty-five years from ten to seventeen 
members. At the beginning of the period the buildings of the 
College were Dartmouth Hall, in a very bad state of repair, the 
chapel, which had become unsuitable for use, the building used 
by Moor's School, in a "ruinous" state, and the Medical building. 
By the end of it, Dartmouth Hall had been remodelled, and its 
cupola rebuilt, the chapel had been removed, the ruinous building 
of Moor's School had been replaced by a new brick "Academy," 
Wentworth, Thornton and Reed Halls and the Observatory 
had been built, the grounds had been laid out and adorned with 
walks and hedges, and the equipment of the physical, astro- 
nomical and chemical departments had been wholly or practically 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 329 

made anew. The College was still in debt to its own funds to 
the amount of $34,000, but it had received during the period over 
$60,000, from the two subscriptions besides other gifts, so that 
the assets of $85,752.30 in 1830 had risen to $201,176.33 in 1863. 
This was apart from the gift of Mr. Chandler which had added 
$50,000 to the fund, and by 1862 forty to the enrollment of the 
College. 

In the moral conduct of his administration Dr. Lord believed 
that the highest form of college was a Christian college and the 
greatest function of such a college was to train Christian men. 
In all his teaching, in all his disciplinary action and in all his inter- 
course with the students he kept this purpose steadily in view. 
The service of morning and evening prayers in the chapel which 
he conducted when in town, the Monday morning biblical exer- 
cise with the senior class, which he took during his entire presi- 
dency, the instruction in the department of ethics of which he had 
the entire charge for eleven years, and occasionally the pulpit were 
all used to exalt the worth and enforce the claims of Christian 
character, and the impression of this teaching was carried away 
by individuals and also remained with the College. He had an 
extraordinary gift in prayer by which those who were not given 
to praying were affected, as when a student said: " I like to hear 
Dr. Lord pray, I like to hear him say : ' The Lord bless these young 
men, every one of them,' for then I feel safe for the day." 

A strict disciplinarian, believing that authority and enforce- 
ment of law were essential to all government, Dr. Lord was a 
terror to evil-doers, for, as one of them said, "he always seemed 
to know, when any young man was brought before him, what 
and all that was in him." All feared him, yet hastened to him 
when in difficulty. 

" It is difficult to describe," wrote an alumnus, "except to one who personally 
knew him, the fine friendly relations, coupled with the most perfect respect 
for himself and his office, which he maintained with the college students. He 
took a strong personal interest in the affairs and ambition of each student, 
and inspired in the most natural way almost a filial feeling of regard toward 
himself. His discipline or advice was always persuasive, because it was both 
kindly and impressively given. His intercourse with the students was free 
and genial and his manifest interest in them went far to break down the barriers 
of official relations. His courtesy was unfailing, and his politeness no mantle 
worn only among his peers, but was a part of his nature. To high and low, 
to rich and poor, he was always the same courtly gentleman, one to whom 
the forms of politeness had a meaning because they recognized the essential 
elements of humanity, and because the meanest frame was the shrine of an 
immortal soul that had the semblance of divinity." 



330 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XII. 

Students are proverbially keen judges of character, at least 
they are quick to detect flaws and shams and unrealities of any 
kind. They recognize instinctively the difference between the 
genuine and the artificial, and their judgments are expressed in 
stories that relate to the exhibition of qualities rather than in 
formal statements about the qualities themselves. Such stories 
are sure to gather about the president of a college who deeply 
affects its inner life, and in the case of Dr. Lord they were num- 
berless. Every gathering of the graduates of his time is enlivened 
by their recital. These represent him as dignified yet kindly, 
and equally courageous in the expression of unpopular opinions 
and in breaking up a student rush, when he enforced his com- 
mand, "Desist, young gentlemen, desist," with vigorous raps of 
his cane, keen in his reading of both character and actions and 
with an almost intuitive perception of the truth of a matter, 
apt in the expression of his decisions and possessed of a pervasive 
humor that relieved the asperity of reproof and gave force to 
encouragement. 

A student of 1846,^ writing more than sixty years after his 
graduation about a line in the poster brought out by the freshman 
rebellion of 1832, gives an impression of Dr. Lord current among 
the students of his day: 

"The President with eye of green," he wrote, "was Dr. Lord for he wore 
the same green specs in my day, and on to the end, worn (it was evident to every 
student) not so much as a protection from the sun's glare, but as they furnished 
a secure fence, behind which the dear old Shepherd could glare at his sheep, 
without detection and watch every possible thing that happened to be going 
on in his vicinity, whether in chapel or recitation room or even in the solemn 
personal interviews with luckless students in the dreaded 'Prexy's Study.' 
I have seen him in cliapel open the Bible, repeat a psalm (apparently reading 
it) and his restless eyes meanwhile over the edge of his glasses, searching every 
face in every seat and every corner. No wonder that he was credited with 
semi-omniscience. ' ' 

Another student of the time ^ adds another view : 

"He was," he wrote, "dignity itself, and no student was brave enough to 
face him with anything but respect. With culprits he could be terrible in 
severity, and yet he was in general approachable and genial, and always kind 
hearted. He could unbend without losing his dignity or his power to recover 
control of himself and his students." 

His humor was not superficial but ingrained, softening what 
might otherwise have been severity to others and helping him 

» Dr. J. W. Barstow of New York City. » Hon. J. W. Patterson of 1848. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 331 

over difficult positions for himself. He could not conceal it. 
"Things ludicrous are apt to set me off beyond propriety," he 
once said in explaining his laughter to one who had told him that 
unless he gave way to a pressing movement he would be crushed. 
It constantly appeared even in his formal reports to the Board. 
In one of them he urged the importance of having the very best 
quality of instruction, saying: " Few persons now, of any calling, 
are drawn to places where commodities are cheap, except to 
auctions; and they are cheated there." Yet it was under entire 
control, never appearing when solemnity or sorrow or good taste 
forbade its presence, but so manifest as an essential part of his 
nature that the students felt, as one of them expressed it, that 
"he had a good time with himself." It entered into his relations 
with the students particularly, and was no small factor in his 
influence over them. So keen was his appreciation of it that 
the exhibition of it in others sometimes softened a rebuke or dis- 
armed it altogether, and his sentence on an offender, who met his 
questions with humorous recognition of his error, was delivered 
in the words of the ancient judge to the offending satirist: sol- 
ventur risu tabulae, Hi missus ahibis. Sometimes, however, his 
humor served to sharpen a rebuke, and it was a two-edged sword 
which was equally effective for offence or defence. It was always 
courteous even when most pungent. Once in a minister's 
meeting there was a warm discussion in which, as often, Dr. Lord 
supported the unpopular view, and one of the ministers rose and 
walking directly up to Dr. Lord shook his finger in his face and 
said: "Dr. Lord, that isn't so." "Well," was the laughing reply, 
"I am glad that one thing is settled." 

Equally marked was his courtesy, which like his charity never 
failed. He respected open opposition and cherished no resent- 
ment at the frank statement of disagreement, so that one long 
associated with him said: "It is more delightful to differ from 
Dr. Lord than to agree with most men." He once read before 
the General Association of New Ham.pshire, at its request, an 
essay on "Millenarianism," which was not at all in accord with 
the prevailing belief. Out of courtesy, but by a meager vote, 
it was requested for printing. When in voting the negative was 
called, one member responded with a decided "no." At the close 
of the session Dr. Lord stepped down the aisle to the pew occupied 
by the objector and offering his hand in the most gracious manner 
thanked him for his frankness and his honesty. His courtesy 
was effective because it was genuine; its outward and essential 



332 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. Xll. 

form had its source in a love of men that could not be expressed 
in any other way. 

Some could not understand how this feeling and its expression 
could exist in one side by side with the views which he enter- 
tained on slavery, because they could not understand how his 
loyalty to what he believed to be the truth, no matter where it 
might lead him, never lessened his sense of duty to the individual 
and his obligation to do every thing possible for his welfare and 
his happiness. His pro-slavery views did not, therefore, chill 
his practical philanthropy or prevent his lending a helping hand 
to the negro. Because he believed that slavery was a divine 
institution he did not fail to help the black man when in need. 
Fugitive slaves passing through Hanover found his charity as 
ready and his aid as prompt as that of any. 

In 1848 a colored man, named Gibbs, after being refused at 
three other New England Colleges, came to Dartmouth. Dr. Lord 
received him kindly, and he was admitted on examination and 
duly graduated in 1852. After preparing for the ministry he was 
called to a Presbyterian church in Troy, N. Y., and begged Dr. 
Lord as a special favor to preach his ordination sermon, giving 
as a reason that his college was the only one which would endure 
his presence. Few members of the Presbytery were willing to 
attend the ordination; one of them, a flaming anti-slavery cham- 
pion attended but slipped into a back seat and took no part. 
Owing to the dearth of brother ministers Dr. Lord was obliged 
to make the installing prayer as well as to preach.^ 

Dr. Lord was a Puritan in character but not in conduct, in the 
intensity' and assurance of his beliefs but not in his method of 
enforcing them, for he approached men by persuasion and not 
by coercion. His appeal was always first to the conscience, then 
to reason, rather than to reason first and conscience afterward, 
and as conscience was in his view only the individual witness to 
the truth of God, whose final expression was the Bible, he made 
the Bible the basis of every appeal to conscience and enforced 
it under a literal interpretation as a rule of life. From its teach- 
ings, as he believed them, he never swerved, no matter where 
they led him, and for thirty-five years with all the power he could 
command and at every opportunity he set them before the stu- 
dents of the College as the thingof pre-eminent value, and he made 
it evident to them in all his relations with them, both social and 
official, that these teachings were the guide of his life. Not all 

^ N. H. Journal, November 4, 1887. 



1828-1863.] Administration of President Lord. 333 

of them were convinced, but his teaching and his personality had 
their effect, and during his long presidency was developed that 
spirit that has given to the College its marked individuality, a 
spirit of resolute purpose, of persistent energy, of strong determi- 
nation and self-dependence that has made its graduates effective 
workers wherever they have found their place. 



CHAPTER XIII. 
1863-1877. 

THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT SMITH. 

THE successor of President Lord, chosen at the adjourned 
meeting of the Trustees on August 17, was Rev. Asa 
Dodge Smith, D.D., a graduate of the College in the class 
1830, who for twenty-nine years had been pastor of a church 
in New York City, which, though it changed its place of worship, 
had retained its organization and for many years had been 
known as the Fourteenth Street Presbyterian Church. Dr. 
Barstow, the President of the Board pro tempore, took to him 
the message of his election, and after due consideration the posi- 
tion was accepted. He was cordially received by the alumni, 
and in New York a large gathering of them at the Fifth Ave- 
nue Hotel passed resolutions expressive of their approval and 
support. 

He was inaugurated on the i8th of November, 1863. A severe 
storm that had been raging for two days had not expended 
itself and the weather was unhappily disagreeable. The proces- 
sion formed, however, as usual at the chapel in Dartmouth 
Hall, and, headed by the Lebanon cornet band, proceeded to the 
church, where the exercises were held. An organ voluntary 
and music by the band were followed by an introductory address 
by the Governor of the State, Hon. Joseph A. Gilmore; then 
came reading of the Scriptures by Professor D. J. Noyes, a 
prayer by Rev. Dr. Z. S. Barstow, music by the Handel and 
Haydn Society of the College, the inaugural address by Presi- 
dent Smith, a prayer by ex-President Lord, and the benedic- 
tion by Rev. S. P. Leeds, the pastor of the College church. In 
the evening there was an illumination of the college buildings 
and private houses in the village. 

The accession of President Smith was the signal for great 
changes in the policy and internal economy of the College. The 
objections to college honors were laid aside and with them, 
much to the satisfaction of the Faculty, the lot as the basis of 
the appointment of the speakers on Commencement day. By 
1865 the merit roll was substituted for it and the valedictory 
and salutatory and various grades of honors were recognized 

334 




^^^. 




1863-1877.1 Administration of President Smith. 335 

in the official programme. Prizes were at once instituted and 
at the Commencement of 1865 there was a revival of the old 
prize speaking contest between members of the junior and sopho- 
more classes appointed by the Faculty on nomination of the 
classes, and there were also prizes offered to the junior class for ex- 
cellence in English composition, both series of prizes being given 
by Mr. Le Grand Lockwood of New York. 

In accord with the change of ideas Professor Sanborn, as the 
head of the rhetorical department, proposed in a modified form 
the revival of the old Quarter days. In this he had in mind a 
desirable impulse to the literary and forensic exercises of the 
students, and also a renewed life for the old literary societies, 
which, except for their libraries and their names as rallying cries 
on the football field, had become practically extinct. His prop- 
osition, with slight modifications, was accepted by the Trustees 
and carried into effect. No attempt was made to revive the 
sophomore Quarter day, and in place of the senior day there 
was substituted, on the Thursday evening of the week before 
the close of the fall term in November, an exhibition of the 
literary societies. The exercises were to be carried on by the 
undergraduate members, each society electing its own repre- 
sentatives, and were to consist of a debate between two persons, 
one Social and one Frater, two orations or an oration and a 
poem by persons chosen in like manner, and music by the Handel 
Society. A junior exhibition was set for the spring, to take 
place just before the close of the spring term, in which the speak- 
ers were to be appointed by the Faculty on the basis of the merit 
roll. These were fifteen or sixteen in number, divided into 
groups according to rank, a Greek and a Latin oration being 
assigned to two members of the first group. 

The plan was very acceptable to the students who entered 
into it heartily, and both exhibitions took place for the first 
time in the college year 1865-1866. Neither of them, however, 
aroused a lasting interest and they soon languished, the last 
exhibition of the societies occurring in 1870 and the junior ex- 
hibition continuing a few years longer till it, too, expired in the 
spring of 1877. The exhibitions of the societies were accom- 
panied by an attempt to revive the societies as organizations 
for essay and debate. Their literary meetings were resumed in 
June of 1867, with a programme of oration and debate, but a 
few meetings exhausted their resources for such exercises, and 



336 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xill. 

the last meetings of the Socials and the Fraters for this purpose 
were held in October, 1868. 

Though they were short-lived the exhibitions helped on a 
genuine revival of literary interest, which, stimulated at first 
by the enthusiasm of Professor Sanborn, whose vigorous and 
discursive mind gave a new zest to rhetoric and literature, was 
evidenced in the re-establishment by the senior class in the 
spring of 1867 of the college monthly, The Dartmouth, interrupted 
since 1841, in the form of an octavo pamphlet of about forty 
pages. Like its predecessor it consisted of essays and poems 
with short editorials and the briefest references to college events. 
It was not intended as a rival of the Aegis, which served as a 
directory of college clubs and organizations and a chronicle 
of college events, but being published monthly, while the Aegis 
was published but once a term, it soon took the place of the 
Aegis as the purveyor of college news. That publication, which 
began as the Phoenix in 1855 in the form of a folio, changed 
to the Aegis in 1858, and became an octavo in 1867. Its appear- 
ance as an annual dates from 1871, when its issue in the fall 
of the year contained, as it announced, the "anomaly of more 
pages and less talk." It still renders a distinct service as a 
record of college organizations, but to this it has added much 
by way of personal raillery that has no more than a restricted 
and passing interest, and that sometimes has overstepped the 
bounds of propriety and good comradeship. 

The interest in literary matters was further shown by the 
establishment of a bright little weekly in the winter of 1873 by 
Frederick A. Thayer of the senior class. It was a handsome 
sheet of ten pages, 9 by 1I5 inches, and was conducted with 
far more than ordinary ability and enterprise; it successfully 
aspired to be more than a college paper, but recognized the 
important relation of the college so far as to issue daily editions 
at Commencement. The graduation of Mr. Thayer removed 
its guiding spirit and though it continued with some intermission 
through the fall its last issue was on December 4, 1873. Its 
influence upon the College was not lost, however, for it was seen 
that some frequent vehicle of college news was needed, and at 
the beginning of the college year in September, 1875, The Dart- 
mouth was changed from a monthly magazine into a weekly 
paper of sixteen pages, giving up its character of a purely literary 
publication for that of a more distinctive college newspaper. 

The rhetorical department was also strengthened by the 



1863-1887.] Administration of President Smith. 337 

employment in the fall of 1865 of an instructor in elocution. 
Mark Bailey of the class of 1849, then an instructor in that 
subject in Yale College, was secured for the period of six weeks, 
and in that time gave instruction to the three upper classes in 
the principles of expression. He continued to come to Hanover 
each fall for eleven years, till 1876, and aroused a general interest 
and exerted a strong and helpful influence upon the College in 
the matter of public speaking. 

The interest in this subject was manifested by a celebration 
of Washington's birthday in 1867, promoted entirely by the 
students. Twelve speakers were chosen by the classes, and the 
exercises were held in the chapel, which was decorated for 
the occasion. The event was so successful that it was repeated 
the next year, but though similar observances were occasionally 
made in later years, they cannot be said to have become a custom. 
In 1875 the routine of the winter was broken by an exercise 
of a different character. The fad of the winter throughout New 
England was spelling matches, and in April the students arranged 
one between the classes, three members being chosen from each, 
the seniors and sophomores against the juniors and freshmen. 
Two juniors carried off the prizes, Charles W. Whitcomb securing 
the first, a Webster's unabridged dictionary, and Charles B. 
Hibbard the second, a set of Rollins' Ancient History. 

In attempting to stimulate the literary side of the College 
it was clearly seen that a freer use of the library was indispensa- 
ble, and in 1864 the Trustees directed that it should be open one 
hour a day, and authorized the employment of a student as 
assistant librarian, who was to receive his room rent and $60 
as compensation. On the resignation during the year of Pro- 
fessor Hubbard the care of the library was given to Professor 
Aiken, but after a little more than a year, on his resignation at 
Commencement in 1866, it passed to Professor Sanborn. But 
it was still of little use to the students. They were not allowed 
to enter the room and inspect the books, and as there was but 
a very imperfect catalogue they had no means of making selec- 
tions. If a student knew what book he wanted and thought it 
was in the library, he might ascertain by inquiring, at the proper 
hour, at the window in the door of the library room, but it often 
happened that through the deficiencies of the catalogue or the 
ignorance of the assistant, books could not be found that were 
in the library, and as the room was not heated in the winter, 
all things conspired to prevent the library from being of much 



338 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIII. 

service, and the students continued to rely for their reading upon 
the Hbraries of the two Hterary societies. In 1867 a gift of $5,000 
was made as a fund for the use of the Hbrary by Miss Mary C. 
Bryant of Boston in memory of her grandfather, Professor 
John Smith, but it made little difference what additions were 
made as long as the books continued to be practically inaccessible, 
as was the case for several years to come. 

A move of much greater value to the students was the opening 
of a reading room. This was done in the spring of 1865 as the 
result of a vote of the Trustees, passed in the preceding August, 
authorizing the Faculty to provide a reading room, and contri- 
buting $40 toward it. The business was put into the charge of 
the students, who subscribed an additional sum for the supply 
of papers and periodicals. A front room on the first floor of 
Dartmouth Hall at the right of the north entrance was assigned 
to it, where it remained for three years, when it was moved to 
the southeast corner of the first floor of Thornton Hall, from 
which it was again removed in 1874 to the southeast corner of 
the second floor of Reed Hall. Its wanderings were not yet 
over, for five years later, the space which it occupied being 
needed for library purposes, it was transferred to the room on 
the first fioor which had been formerly occupied, first, by the 
Hall cabinet and afterward as a recitation room. It was moved 
from there only on the building of Wilson Hall in 1885. In 
1900 a room in the new College Hall was given to the newspapers 
which were transferred thither, but the periodicals were still 
kept in the library. 

The Trustees continued their appropriation of $40 for six 
years, but it soon became evident that it would be difficult to 
support the reading room even partially on a subscription basis, 
and in the fall of 1869 it was brought under the direction of the 
literary societies. The Trustees authorized at that time the 
collection on the term bills of the academic students of a tax of 
one dollar and a half a term, of which one dollar was to go to the 
societies, and fifty cents to the support of the reading room. The 
care of the room was given to the executive committees of the 
two societies. Members of the other departments were admitted 
to the use of the reading room on the payment of fifty cents 
a term. All the important daily and many of the weekly papers 
of this section and the prominent English and American periodi- 
cals found a place upon its tables, and it was opened week days 
and evenings. A persistent urgency soon arose to have it opened 



1863-1877-] Administration of President Smith. 339 

on Sunday, but a favorable answer was not returned to it till 
1892, when the Trustees, at the request of the Faculty, gave 
permission. 

Among the changes which tended to give greater coherence 
to the college year was the dropping out of the short term in the 
winter. In 1867 the short term disappeared and the spring term, 
as it was called, began on the nth of January and continued 
fourteen weeks to the i8th of April. The students who taught 
still had the benefit of a six weeks' vacation immediately fol- 
lowing Thanksgiving, but they were called upon to make up 
the work of their six weeks' absence from the beginning of the 
spring term. Four years later, in 1871, another change was 
made that bore still harder on the teachers. The college year 
was divided into two terms of twenty weeks each, separated 
by a vacation of three weeks in the last of January and the 
first of February (increased, however, to four weeks the next 
year), and the work to be made up by the teachers was corres- 
pondingly enlarged. Students were otherwise dissuaded from 
leaving their college work to engage in winter teaching, and in 
1872 excuses were given only to those who signed a paper that 
they were dependent on their own exertions. Under these 
conditions the number of teachers rapidly diminished, though 
for twenty years some were always absent in the winter engaged 
in teaching. In 1872 Commencement, which in 1863 had been 
changed from the last Thursday to the last Thursday but one 
in July, was brought back to the last Thursday in June, and 
the summer vacation was extended to nine weeks, thus giving 
a larger opportunity for summer occupation. The division of 
the year into two terms continued only five years, and in 1876 
the three-term arrangement was again adopted. 

The university idea (cherished in vain by President Lord in 
1840) was now revived and seemed in a fair way to be realized 
in fact. The idea was indicated by a change of nomenclature 
in the catalogue. In 1838 the distinction had been for the 
first time drawn between the "medical" and the "academical" 
faculties, the students being designated as "medical students" 
and "undergraduates." In 1865 the Chandler School, which 
in the records of the Trustees was regarded as a department in 
the College, but in the catalogue spoken of as the "Chandler 
Scientific School," was by authority styled the "Chandler Sci- 
entific Department," and in that year the catalogue was made 
up strictly on the university plan, separated as to Faculty and 



340 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. xill. 

students into three departments, the Medical, the Academical 
and the Chandler Scientific, to which was added in the next 
year the announcement of the Agricultural, and in 1869 that of 
the Thayer School. 

The general Faculty was naturally enlarged by the addition 
of the men in the new departments, but besides these there were 
additions and many changes in the existing Faculties. As has 
been said, Professor Varney resigned the chair of mathematics 
at Commencement of 1863. An attempt was made at once to 
fill it by the election of Professor Young, whom President Lord 
had before urged for the chair of physics and astronomy, but 
he declined, and the Faculty was authorized to make temporary 
provision for instruction in that department, which was done 
by the appointment as tutor of George S. Morris. In the next 
year the chair was filled by the election of EHhu T. Quimby of 
the class of 1851, then principal of the Appleton Academy at 
New Ipswich, N. H. 

The fatal illness and death of Professor Putnam in 1863 made 
a vacancy in the chair of Greek, which was filled by the transfer 
to it of Professor Packard from modern languages. The vacancy 
thus made was in turn supplied by the appointment in 1864 
of Edward R. Ruggles, a graduate of 1859 and then in Germany, 
as instructor in modern languages. Very fortunately for the 
College, Professor E. D. Sanborn was brought back from St. 
Louis in the fall of 1863 as professor of oratory and belles lettres, 
to take the place of Professor Brown, who was put into the chair 
of intellectual philosophy and political economy, vacant since 
the death of Professor Long, although Professor Brown had been 
giving instruction in that department. Three years later a 
change was brought about in the department of Latin by the 
resignation of Professor Aiken to accept a similar position at 
Princeton College, and his place was taken by the Rev. Henry 
E. Parker of the class of 1841, then a minister of the South Con- 
gregational Church in Concord, N. H. In that year also Professor 
Hubbard, who had ably filled the chair of chemistry for thirty 
years, resigned, though he retained his connection with the 
Medical School and continued to lecture for three years more, 
and removing from Hanover lived first in New Haven and then 
in New York City, where he died on March 9, 1900. 

Some embarrassment arose in connection with the chairs of 
astronomy and meteorology and natural philosophy, occupied 
by Professors Patterson and Fairbanks. In the fall of 1862 



1863-1877.] Administration of President Smith. 341 

Professor Patterson was elected as a representative to Congress. 
In the following August he requested that he might be permitted 
to hold his place as professor in the College during his congres- 
sional term of two years and that the Faculty be authorized 
to supply such instruction as he should be unable to give. To 
this request the Trustees did not accede, but while regarding 
the absence of a college officer for a considerable time as a detri- 
ment to the Institution they consented to Professor Patterson's 
retaining his connection with the College on condition that his 
salary from the College should cease when he entered on his 
congressional duties, and should be again enjoyed only on his 
resuming his college work at the end of two years, and with this 
condition the Faculty was authorized to provide for his work 
during his absence. 

At their annual meeting in July of the next year the Trustees 
voted to abolish the professorship of astronomy and meteorology 
as a separate department and to unite it with the Appleton 
professorship of natural philosophy. Not to seem to have de- 
prived Professor Patterson 'of an opportunity to return to the 
College, should be wish to do so, the Trustees elected him as 
professor of mathematics, and Professor Fairbanks they elected 
to the united chairs of natural philosophy and astronomy. Both 
of the professors declined the new appointments, and in their 
inability to do otherwise the Trustees reconsidered their action 
and asked the two to go on as before, but to protect the College 
against the risk of renewed occurrences of like nature the Trustees, 
at their adjourned meeting in August, 1864, voted that "here- 
after the acceptance of any civil office by any member of the 
Faculty, except the office of Justice of the Peace or any Town 
office, shall operate ipso facto as a resignation of his position as 
a member of the Faculty." 

Mr. Patterson was elected to a second term in Congress in 
the fall of 1864, and the condition then arose contemplated in 
the preceding vote. The Trustees were confronted with a difficult 
situation. The chair of mathematics had been filled, the funds 
were not available for the support of the two professorships 
which they had wished to unite the year before and Professor 
Fairbanks had signified his unwillingness to take the load of 
the double chair. They skillfully met the situation in a series of 
votes in which may readily be detected the diplomatic touch of 
President Smith : 



342 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIII. 

Whereas the department of Natural Science in its various branches, is 
deservedly growing in public favor, and the more because of the rapid develop- 
ment of the natural resources of the country; and whereas it is the purpose 
of the Board that the College shall lack nothing essential to the broadest 
culture; therefore. 

Resolved i. That we hereby in3titute a new Professorship to be called 
the Professorship of Natural History, the incumbent whereof shall give in- 
struction by lectures and otherwise in whatever pertains to such chair, aided 
by such cabinets and other apparatus as may be needful. And it is partic- 
ularly referred to the Faculty to consider whether the subject of mining, 
which is assuming such prominence in our country', and is becoming a matter 
of importance in our own vicinity,' may not properly be embraced in the 
programme of this Professorship. 

Resolved 2. That while it is the design of the Board to place this new pro- 
fessorship on the same footing as the others, and to give the incumbent, when 
funds shall be secured for that purpose, — as it is hoped they soon will be — 
a full salary; they are compelled now, from the straitened state of their finances 
to appropriate for the compensation of the Professor only the sum of five 
hundred dollars. 

And whereas the Board still deems it desirable, in accordance with the vote 
passed at their last meeting, to unite the Professorships of Astronomy and 
Meteorology with that of Natural Philosophy, thus restoring the arrange- 
ment, which under former Professors has proved so convenient and success- 
ful; and whereas Professor Patterson who has officiated with marked ability 
in our board of instruction for eleven years past, by accepting the office of 
Representative in Congress to which he was elected March last, has, according 
to a rule adopted by the Board at their meeting in August 1864, virtually 
resigned his place in the College Faculty; and whereas Professor Fairbanks, 
who for more than five years diligently and faithfully served the Board in 
the professorship of Natural Philosophy, has, on grounds which seem reasonable, 
especially on considerations of health, heretofore declined undertaking the 
duties of both chairs, therefore 

Resolved i. That the two professorships above named be and they hereby 
are united. 

Resolved. 2. That Professor Fairbanks be transferred to the new pro- 
fessorship of Natural History — the change to take place at the commence- 
ment of the next spring term. 

Resolved 3. That we elect, at the present meeting, an incumbent of the 
united professorships, to be styled the "Appleton Professor of Natural Philoso- 
phy and Professor of Astronomy, " his salary to be ?i,300 per annum, and his 
services to commence at the beginning of the spring term. 

Professor Charles A. Young was the immediate and unani- 
mous choice of the Trustees for the place, and this time their 
invitation, accompanied by a suitable offer of help toward the 
expenses of removal, was accepted, and he began his duties at 
the College in February, 1866. At Commencement of the next 

1 About this time the copper mines at Vershire were actively worked, the iron mines at 
Franconia were again being exploited, and even a lead mine in the eastern part of Hanover 
was reported as discovered on the farm of Horace Stickney. 



1863-1877-] Administration of President Smith. 343 

year Professor Brown gave up his connection with the Faculty 
to become the president of Hamilton College. No one was 
immediately appointed in his place, President Smith being 
requested to give instruction in intellectual philosophy and 
Professor Noyes to perform the remaining duties of the chair. 
This arrangement continued for two years, when Professor Noyes 
was transferred to the chair of intellectual philosophy and politi- 
cal economy, from that of theology, which continued vacant till 
1886. Professor Fairbanks held his position in the chair of 
natural history three years, when he resigned, but he came back 
to the service of the College in 1870 as a member of the Board 
of Trustees. Dr. Thomas R. Crosby was made instructor in 
his stead, but on his death in 1872 the chair was abolished. 

By the fall of 1868 the increase in the number of students 
called for an increase in the teaching staff, and as the funds did 
not admit of the appointment of permanent officers two tutors 
and in the next year three tutors, were engaged. All three re- 
mained permanently on the Faculty, and one of them, John 
C. Proctor, a man of rare personal and intellectual gifts, became 
professor of Greek on the resignation of Professor Packard, 
who in 1879 succeeded Professor Aiken in the chair of Latin in 
Princeton College. The second tutor, Charles F. Emerson, 
became the associate and the successor of Professor Young, as 
Appleton professor of natural philosophy, and later the Dean 
of the Academic Faculty; the third tutor, the present writer, 
later occupied the chair of Latin. 

Lectureships were also established in addition to the permanent 
positions. Judge Joel Parker showed that his former disaffec- 
tion had passed away by consenting to return to the College 
with the title of professor of law for a course of lectures on law 
to the seniors. This he did for six years beginning in 1868, 
and continuing his lectures till the year before his death. His 
bequest to the College will be described in another place. From 
1868 to 1873 Dr. John Lord, the famous lecturer, gave an annual 
course of lectures on historical subjects, for two years before the 
whole college and later to the senior class. The expense of Dr. 
Lord's lectures was borne by Hon. George W. Burleigh, a Trustee 
from 1870 to 1878. 

Many changes also took place in the Medical Faculty during 
President Smith's administration. The roll at the end was 
very different from that at the beginning. Dixi Crosby had 
died in 1873. Drs. Edward E. Phelps and Albert Smith still 



344 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xill. 

remained, but with the title of professor emeritus. The new 
names were those of Dr. John Ordronaux in the chair of medical 
jurisprudence, Dr. Carleton P. Frost in the science and practice 
of medicine, Dr. Edward S. Dunster in obstetrics. Dr. Henry 
M. Field in materia medica and therapeutics, while Dr. Lyman 
B. How from being demonstrator had risen to the professorship 
of anatomy. In the Faculty of the Chandler School a complete 
change was made. Professor Woodman, who had become a 
kind of Dean of the School, had given way to Professor E. R. 
Ruggles with the title of professor of modern languages and 
English literature. Arthur S. Hardy had become professor of 
civil engineering, though he was transferred to the chair of 
mathematics in the Academic Faculty in 1878, and Frank A. 
Sherman had become Chandler Professor of Mathematics. 

The financial difficulties that had pressed so heavily upon 
the closing years of the administration of President Lord were 
equally felt by President Smith at his coming. He found a 
slender treasury, a meager endowment, buildings in need of 
repair, an underpaid Faculty clamoring for an increase of salary, 
and a student body steadily diminishing under the strain of the 
war and of popular feeling. It was truly a discouraging outlook 
when the first class that he admitted to college had but twenty- 
nine members in the academic course, the smallest number 
since 1817, and only seven in the Chandler course, but he entered 
courageously into the task of raising money. His acceptance of 
the presidency and the general satisfaction with his election so 
cheered the Trustees that before he reached Hanover they de- 
termined again to set on foot a subscription for $100,000, doubt- 
less with the belief that a new President would be able to tap 
new sources of supply. In this they were not disappointed, 
as he secured large contributions among his personal friends in 
New York toward the endowment of the presidential chair. 

The subscription, conducted under the direction of Rev. J. 
G, Davis of Amherst, N. H., with the help of the President, 
proved as successful as could reasonably have been expected, 
yielding within three years nearly $30,000. During the same 
period, as has been said, the belated legacy of Mr. Reed was 
received to the amount of about $17,000 and turned into the 
general fund. In 1866 it was proposed to raise within the State 
a fund of $25,000 for the endowment of a chair to be called the 
New Hampshire Professorship. Not quite $7,000 were raised 
at that time and the fund was not completed till 1894, the major 



1863-1877-] Administration oj President Smith. 345 

part of it being secured under President Bartlett, by whom it 
was designated as the New Hampshire professorship of chemistry. 

The President turned his attention in particular to the at- 
tempt to secure the endowment of scholarships for the aid of 
needy students. In this he was very successful, and in addition 
to many annual gifts for this purpose he secured during his 
administration permanent additions to the scholarship funds 
of the College of over $70,000. 

No effort was left untried by personal relations and by letters 
of appeal to regain for the College the interest of the clergy, 
and the influence of the President in this way, as well as the in- 
creased aid which the College was enabled to offer to needy 
students as the result of his efforts, had their effect upon the 
constituency of the College, so that the class which entered in 
the fall of 1865 was twice as large as that of the year before, 
and the gain continued till 1870, when the College with 305 
academic students was larger than it had been since the great 
advance of 1840. A gift at this time gave more encouragement 
by its timeliness than by its immediate value. In 1865 John D. 
Willard of the class of 1819, a tutor in 1822-1823, and afterward 
a judge in the Court of Common Pleas of New York, left to the 
College $10,000 to establish a chair of rhetoric and oratory, 
but the fund was to accumulate till it reached $35,000. Of more 
direct service was the residuary' bequest of Judge Richard Fletcher 
of the class of 1806, and a Trustee of the College from 1846 to 
1857, of which a more particular account is given in another 
place. 

The increased income derived from these funds and the larger 
receipts from tuition, that followed on the increase in the number 
of students, and the raising of the tuition from $51 to $60 in 
1867, and again to $70 in 1872 and to $90 in 1876, were greatly 
to the advantage of the College, since they made it possible to 
do many things that were imperatively called for, but they were 
still insufficient under enlarged expenses to prevent an annual 
deficit. The largest single item of increased expense was the 
rapid advance of salaries. In 1865 the salary of a professor was 
advanced from $1,100 to $1,300, and of the President from $1,800 
with which he entered on office to $2,000. At the same time 
the compensation to members of the Academic Faculty teaching 
in the Chandler School was raised from one dollar to two dollars 
an hour. In the next year $200 were added to both presidential 
and professorial salaries, and in 1869 another increase carried 



346 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI li- 

the professors' salaries to $2,000 and the President's to $3,000, 
at which figure they remained for twenty years. 

One of the first outward signs of reviving prosperity was the 
erection of a gymnasium in 1866. Dr. Smith, who regarded 
such a building as of immediate consequence to the College, 
had suggested the construction of one to Mr. George H. Bissell 
of the class of 1845, a lawyer of New York City, who had been 
the first to recognize the commercial value of petroleum and 
to make it an article of trade. Mr. Bissell, who had left college 
as a poor boy, in responding to the suggestion, recalled his condi- 
tion at graduation and saying that it afforded him "unqualified 
pleasure to be enabled to gratify a wish then cherished to aid 
in some degree his alma mater,'' offered $15,000 for a gym- 
nasium. This sum proving inadequate, Mr. Bissell, on the re- 
ceipt of plans and specifications, expressed a willingness to 
enlarge his gift, and ultimately met the expense of construction 
to the amount of $23,850. His first wish was to have the building 
made of granite, but he afterward decided upon brick with granite 
trimmings. The architect of the plan finally adopted was Joseph 
R. Richards of the firm of Richards and Park, of Boston, and 
the contract for its construction was given to Ivory Bean, also 
of Boston, for the sum of $21,700. A few extra expenses brought 
the total to $22,006.44, exclusive of the fence about the lot 
and the equipment of the building. The building was 90 feet 
long and 47 feet wide and two stories high and had a porch in 
front. The ground floor was occupied with six bowling alleys, 
an indication of the changed sentiment of the times, besides a 
dressing room, and the second story was the gymnastic hall, 
the elevated running track being an addition of a much later 
date. 

Work was begun upon the foundations by the middle of May, 
the corner stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies at Com- 
mencement and the contractor finished his work by November i, 
the specified date, to the entire satisfaction of the Trustees. 
The building was equipped and opened to the students in March 
of 1867, when Mr. F. G. Welch, a gymnastic teacher from Yale, 
was secured to direct the gymnastic drill, which at the beginning 
was required of all the classes four days a week. The novelty 
of the exercise carried it for a time; it was popular and well 
attended, but before long it grew wearisome, an outcry was 
raised against what the students regarded as an excessive require- 
ment, so that in two years the time was reduced from four to 



1863-1877-] Administration of President Smith. 347 

two days a week. The bowling alleys, however, proved inviting 
for many years, and were well patronized whenever the building 
was open. Mr. Welch was followed as instructor in gymnastics 
in succession by Charles F. Emerson, afterward professor and 
Dean, for one year, Dwinel F. Thompson for three years, and 
Solon R. Towne for three years. Under him the required exer- 
cise was given up for the seniors and juniors, but retained for 
the two lower classes twice a week. He was succeeded b}^ Thomas 
W. D. Worthen, afterward professor of mathematics, who for 
five years was a regular salaried instructor in gymnastics, and 
after that for thirteen years, till 1892, continued to conduct the 
exercises of the two lower classes gratuitously rather than see 
them abandoned, as would have been the case, through lack 
of other provision, if he had not taken them. 

The establishment of the New Hampshire College of Agricul- 
ture and the Mechanic Arts and its location at Hanover in con- 
nection with Dartmouth College were the result of two influences 
which happened to coincide at that time. In 1862 the Con- 
gress of the United States granted land to the several states and 
territories which should provide colleges "for the benefit of 
agriculture and the Mechanic arts." New Hampshire accepted 
her share of the grant by an act, approved July 9, 1863,^ au- 
thorizing the Governor and Council to appoint a committee 
of one from each county to prepare a scheme for such a college 
and make report at the next session of the Legislature. 

Among those interested in the subject of agricultural educa- 
tion was Gen. David Culver, a resident of Lyme and then a 
member of the Council, who had been a successful business man 
in New York City. He made to the committee, which was 
headed by H. D. Walker of Portsmouth, a written proposition 
that he would give to the State his farm in Lyme, containing 
about 400 acres, well suited from its situation and variety of 
soil for an experimental farm, and valued by him at $20,000, 
together with $30,000 in money, on the condition that the State 
would locate in Lyme an Agricultural College and apply for its 
endowment the proceeds of the congressional land grant. 

At the June session of 1864 the committee reported favorably 
upon the proposition of General Culver, and their report was 
referred to another select committee of one from each county, 
which on July 7 reported a bill to establish an Agricultural 
College. After much discussion the bill was, on the 15th, referred 

1 Statutes of N. H.. 1861-1866, ch. 2732, p. 2711. 



348 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIII. 

to the next session of the Legislature, and the Clerk of the House 
was directed to invite, by published notice, propositions for the 
location of the College from towns, cities, institutions of learning 
and individuals which might take an interest in it. At the 
session of June, 1865, the subject was again postponed a year, 
the delay arising partly, perhaps, from the death of General 
Culver, which occurred on June 14 of that year, and partly from 
the uncertainty as to the location. President Smith had been 
exerting all his influence to bring the college to Hanover and 
had endeavored to enlist General Culver himself to favor this 
view and to transfer his gifts to Dartmouth for an Agricultural 
Department, but without success. On the death of General 
Culver it was found that he had left a will, somewhat involved 
but repeating the offer which he had made to the State the year 
previous. 

The original will, dated August 17, 1849, besides a few minor 
bequests, gave to Dartmouth College for a "Department of 
Agriculture" his farm, subject to a life estate of his wife, and 
$10,000 as a perpetual fund to accumulate till the farm came 
into the possession of the College. Three codicils modified the 
will. The first, dated November 10, 1855, gave to Dartmouth an 
additional $20,000 for the perpetual fund and added stipula- 
tions regarding the application of the fund. The second codicil, 
dated September 4, 1858, added as a gift to Dartmouth two 
farms and all the lands, water privileges and meadows which 
he possessed. To each of his legal heirs he gave one dollar, and 
to his wife in addition to previous bequests, and to the town of 
Lyme, $1,000 each. Six years later, on the 3d of March, 1864, 
he added a third codicil revoking all former bequests inconsistent 
with its provisions, and making to the State of New Hampshire 
the same offer which he had previously made to the committee, 
namely of this home farm in Lyme and other lands, for an Agri- 
cultural College, and $30,000 for the erection of buildings, pro- 
vided the State should accept his gift within two years. 

The will, which was allowed by the Probate Court, August 17, 
1865, was contested by the heirs-at-law on the ground that the 
testator was of unsound mind, and pending an appeal to the 
Supreme Judicial Court of the County, a compromise was made 
and in accordance with it the will was declared invalid. By the 
compromise all the heirs-at-law, except Mrs. Culver, joined 
in a deed of trust (assented to shortly after by the executors of 
Mrs. Culver, who died before the execution of the trust) to David 



1863-1877] Administration of President Smith. 349 

P. Wheeler of Orford, N. H., by which all their interest in all 
the property of Mr. Culver was transferred to him in trust, to 
convert it as speedily as possible into money, to pay all the 
expenses of the trust and of Mr. Culver's executors, and to pay 
one-half the remaining avails of the estate to Dartmouth College 
and the other half to Joseph H. Peters of Bradford, Vt., for 
distribution among the heirs according to their lawful claims. 
At the final settlement under this agreement on May i, 1874, 
the total value of the estate was $66,156.43. The expenses of 
administration and of the trust had been $14,164.32, and the 
College received as its portion in the distribution $21,697.43. 

Mrs. Culver, who survived her husband about a year, dying 
July 21, 1866, entered fully into his plans. She waived the pro- 
visions of his will in her favor, accepting instead the legal pro- 
vision of dower and homestead in the real estate and of the 
right to one half of the personal estate, but she informed the 
executors of the will that she should relinquish all her claims 
if the State should accept her husband's bequest within the speci- 
fied two years; and she further made a will by which she gave 
all her interest in the real estate to the State of New Hampshire 
in support of Mr. Culver's plan for an Agricultural College, sub- 
ject only to the condition of the State's acceptance of his bequest. 
Failing such acceptance the property was to go to Dartmouth 
College. 

When the Legislature of the State met in June, 1866, the sub- 
ject of an Agricultural College was brought very clearly before 
it by the message of Governor Smyth. Recalling the fact that 
the provisions of the congressional act must be fulfilled, if at all, 
before July 2, 1867, he urged immediate action. The utmost 
that could be hoped from the land grant, he said, would not 
exceed $100,000, a sum altogether too small for the support of 
a college, which, if established, would require constant appro- 
priations from the State. The terms of the grant, which expressly 
called for a college, forbade its association with an academy, 
as had been suggested, and he, therefore, strongly recommended 
that the provisions of the congressional act be met and an Agri- 
cultural College be established in connection with Dartmouth, 
the only existing college in the State. If the will of Mr. Culver, 
then in litigation, should be sustained and if the State should 
not accept his bequest, the whole amount of it would revert 
to Dartmouth, which, with its existing plant, laboratories and 
cabinets, would be able to put at the disposal of the State for 



350 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. xill. 

the support of an Agricultural Department more than double 
what it would otherwise secure. Notwithstanding the Governor's 
recommendation and the uncertainty of the litigation over the 
will, a resolution was introduced by the representative from 
Lyme to accept the bequest and to establish an Agricultural 
College in that town, but it got no farther than the committee. 

Anticipating that the question of the establishing of an Agri- 
cultural College would come before the Legislature, and desiring, 
if it should be established, to have it incorporated with Dart- 
mouth, President Smith took early action, and in a letter, after- 
ward sanctioned by the Trustees, instructed the college treasurer, 
Mr. Blaidsell, who represented the college district in the Legisla- 
ture that session, to use his utmost endeavors to bring about 
the connection, and authorized him to make on their behalf 
the following propositions: 

1. We offer to the State, so far as it may be necessary to the purposes of 
the Fund, and under such regulations as may be deemed proper, the use 
of all means and appliances of education already established here — Buildings, 
Libraries, Apparatus, Professorships — to the value, if the cost of providing 
them anew were estimated, of more than four hundred thousand dollars. 

2. If the avails of the Fund should be given us, we would undertake to make 
whatever additional provision for agricultural education should be thought 
needful, and to devote one half the avails of the Fund to the gratuitous in- 
struction of pupils selected under the authority of the State. If the Fund 
should amount to ?ioo,ooo, it would provide, at the present charge for tui- 
tion, for some sixty pupils annually. 

3. We would guarantee the State against all expense on account of the 
Agricultural College. 

4. We would assent to the placing of the Fund and the Agricultural course 
under the care of those State officials who are ex officio members of our Board 
of Trustees; they to sustain the same relation to this Department, that they 
now do to the funds given by the State. 

Mr. Blaisdell was further commissioned to say that a committee 
of the Board was authorized to make alterations that did not 
essentially modify the propositon, and in case such modifications 
were demanded to call at once a meeting of the Board. The 
committee was also authorized to press matters, as might seem 
expedient, upon the Legislature and the people and to offer 
such additional inducements, in the way of money or of lands and 
tenements as public-spirited individuals might put at the disposal 
of the Trustees. 

The bill, resulting from these influences, as it was finally passed 
and approved on July 7, 1866,^ established the "New Hampshire 

' Pamphlet Laws of New Hampshire, 1866, ch. 4216, p. 3235. 



1863-1877-] Administration of President Smith. 351 

College of Agriculture and the Mecahnic Arts" whose leading 
object was to be, "without excluding other scientific and classical 
studies, and including military tactics, to teach such branches 
of learning as are related to agriculture and the mechanic arts," 
in conformity to the act of Congress. The general government of 
the College was vested in nine trustees, five of whom were to 
be appointed by the Governor and Council, one from each 
councillor district, and four by the Trustees of Dartmouth 
College, the terms of all being so arranged that three of them 
retired annually. The trustees, thus appointed, were authorized 
to locate the College at Hanover in connection with Dartmouth 
College, and to make all necessary contracts with that College 
in relation to the terms of connection, "subject to be terminated 
upon a notice of one year, given at any time after fourteen years, 
and to its furnishing to the College of Agriculture and the Me- 
chanic Arts the free use of an experimental farm, of all requisite 
buildings, of the libraries, laboratories, apparatus and museums 
of said Dartmouth College, and for supplying such instruction 
in addition to that furnished by its professors and teachers, as 
the best interests of its students may require; and also to any 
legacy said Dartmouth College may receive from the estate of 
the late David Culver. The said Trustees are also authorized 
and directed to furnish, so far as may be practicable, free tui- 
tions to indigent students of the College, and to make provision 
for free lectures in different parts of the State upon subjects 
pertaining to agriculture and the mechanic arts." 

The act differed in essential particulars from the proposition 
made by the Trustees. That involved the idea of the fund being 
given to Dartmouth College for a department under the existing 
Trustees, the fund being controlled by the State only through 
the State officers who were ex officio members of the Board, in 
the same way that they controlled the funds which had come 
to the College by earlier grants of land by the State. The 
entire responsibility for the management and instruction of 
the Department was to rest with the Trustees, except that 
they agreed to provide without expense to the State any instruc- 
tion in agricultural education that was needful. The act, on 
the contrary, provided merely for what might be called a physi- 
cal connection with Dartmouth. The Agricultural College, 
though afterward called the Agricultural Department of Dart- 
mouth College, was to be under the control of its own Trustees, 
of which only a minority was to be appointed by the Trustees 



352 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap, xill, 

of Dartmouth College. The appointment of officers and the 
determination of courses of instruction belonged to this new 
Board, while it devolved upon the Trustees of Dartmouth 
College to furnish by contract with it "the free use of an experi- 
mental farm, of all requisite buildings, of the libraries, labora- 
tories, apparatus and museums," as the best interests of the 
new students might require. 

It is not strange that the old Trustees at their annual meeting 
ten days after the passage of the act hesitated as to what course 
they would pursue. To refuse to appoint the four members 
of the new Board, whose appointment rested with them, would 
be to destroy all possible union of the Agricultural College 
with Dartmouth and lead to its establishment elsewhere. To 
appoint them did not conclude the relation, since the form of 
the connection would be determined by contracts between the 
two Boards, and they would not be forced to accept a contract 
which they thought adverse to the interests of the College. 
They, therefore, appointed of their own number, as members 
of the new Board, President Smith, Governor Frederick 
Smyth of Manchester, Anthony Colby of New London 
and Ira A. Eastman of Manchester. The last named did not 
accept the appointment and Edward Spalding was put in his 
place. At a later meeting in Concord, September 6, President 
Smith and Messrs. Nesmith, Bouton and Day were appointed 
a committee to confer with the other Board, when organized, 
in the matter of contracts. The five appointees of Governor 
Smyth were Joseph B. Walker of Concord, John D. Lyman of 
Farmington, William P. Wheeler of Keene, John B. Clarke of 
Manchester and Chester C. Hutchins of Bath, and the Agri- 
cultural Board met at Concord September 28, 1866, and organized 
by the choice of Dr. Smith as President, Mr. Walker as Secre- 
tary and Governor Smyth as Treasurer. 

The question of contracts between the two institutions was 
immediately taken up, and in the variety of interests that 
appeared the long discussions tended to diminish rather than 
to increase the likelihood of a satisfactory conclusion. On the 
29th of May following. President Smith wrote a long letter to 
Mr. Walker and, after giving the reasons for his hesitation, said:^ 

I incline to the opinion that even if we could agree upon terms, which 
seems doubtful, it would not be best either for Dartmouth College or the 
State that the proposed connection should be effected. A change can easily 
> Letter in the Library of the New Hampshire Historical Society. 



1863-1877-] Administration of President Smith. 353 

be made by the Legislature in an Act authorizing the selection of some other 
location, and the appointment of the whole Board by the Governor and 
Council. . . . 

I write thus early, because if the Agricultural College is not connected 
with Dartmouth — and I now think it probable it will not be — the Legislature 
may wish to accept General Culver's donation and so locate the Institution 
at Lyme. This must be done, if at all, within two years from his death; 
which term will expire not far from the middle of next month. I call your 
attention to the fact, that you may be thinking of the matter, and so no 
opportunity be lost to the State by our declining the proposed connection. 

On the next day he wrote Dr. Bouton not less clearly but 
more succinctly.^ 

Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H., May 30, 1867. 
Rev. Dr. Bouton: 

My Dear Sir: — Yours of yesterday has just reached me. . . . 

I am not likely to overlook any important aspect of the subject. I have 
spent too many anxious days, I might almost say nights, upon it, for 
that. And you will see the inclination of my mind from the letter I enclose. 
It is — as the matter is shaped in the act, and in all the present bearing of 
it — to remit the whole thing to the State. My apprehension is, that it will 
be an incubus upon us, which we may best avoid. And now is the time to 
guard ourselves. The connection is not yet formed — it is for us to say whether 
it shall be. Of course, it cannot be forced upon us, nor would any one desire 
that. In addition to what is said in my letter to Mr. Walker, or in expansion 
of it, I would say, 

1. The Agricultural College is, at the best, a very doubtful experiment 
If it fails, Dartmouth, if it undertakes it, will be blamed. 

2. The machinery ordained by the act is very complicated and cumbrous — 
almost sure to work ill on that account. 

3. The provisions about an experimental farm and the "free use" etc. with 
the best construction as can be put upon them, are likely to give us trouble. 

4. The whole thing if it goes on well must inevitably throw a great deal 
of additional work and labor on me — care and labor which are needed for 
the other great matters of the College. This has been the fact already. 
Nor do I see any way to avoid this in the future. If any one thinks he does, 
all I have to say is he does not know. I do not shrink from labor, you under- 
stand, but the College proper calls for all I can bestow. 

5. It will be very difficult to settle upon terms of connection that will be 
admissible. I see no probability of any arrangement that will be any pecu- 
niary benefit to Dartmouth. 

6. I am afraid of the politicians and of political complications. Already a 
great wrong has been done, in giving the Democratic party but one out of the 
five Trustees appointed by the Governor and Council. This alienated Judge 
Eastman and has offended others. We shall be liable to such things, year 
after year. 

7. As the act stands, once form the Connection and a Department of the 
College is in the power of the State. The State has a majority, and can rule. 

' Letter in the Library of tlie New Hampshire Historical Society. 
23 



354 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xill. 

I have doubt about putting even a Department in such relations. "Timeo 
Danaos et dona ferentes." I remember the old battle which Webster fought 
for us. I remember the Trojan horse. 

8. The limitation of time is very objectionable — putting a College on 
wheels. 

But I cannot enlarge. I will call the Committee, as you suggest, to meet 
at my room at the Eagle Hotel on Monday the 3d inst. . . . The Com- 
mittee should meet by themselves, so as to settle their own views first. 
Yours very truly, 

Asa D. Smith. 

P. S. We must remember that we as a Committee, are charged with the 
interests of Dartmouth College. If we do not look out for them, nobody 
else will! The State will look out for itself — not for us. 

But, notwithstanding these questionings, an agreement was 
reached in later conferences, on June 4, 1867, a contract was 
signed by the Agricultural Trustees and the Committee of the 
Dartmouth Board which had been given power to act. This 
contract made a union of the Agricultural College with Dart- 
mouth College through the Chandler Scientific Department, 
and provided that students coming through the Agricultural 
College and having the preparation required by the Chandler 
Department should receive instruction in the classes of that 
Department, that they should pay the regular tuition and be 
entitled to all the privileges of its students. The Faculty of 
the Chandler Department was constituted the Faculty of the 
Agricultural College, to which the latter was to add one full 
professor, who was to be "a member of the Faculty of the Chand- 
ler Scientific Department, under the same conditions, and with 
the same privileges as the other members." 

The Department was to furnish "adequate instruction in 
the mechanic arts" and also "a special course of agricultural 
instruction, falling in the last two years of the Chandler Scien- 
tific Department, analogous to what are called the engineering 
course, the commercial course and the general course" of that 
Department, and the studies of the course were to be acceptable 
to the Trustees of the Agricultural College. Dartmouth further 
agreed that if it should receive under the will of General Culver 
a farm in Lyme, it would on the written request of the Trustees 
of the Agricultural College furnish such reasonable part of 
the farm with its buildings as should be necessary for an experi- 
mental farm, and if no farm were received under the will, that 
it would co-operate with the other Trustees in any reasonable 



1863-1877-] Administration of President Smith. 355 

way to secure such a farm. The contract was terminable on 
one year's notice by either party at any time after fourteen 
years from July 7, 1866, or on notice of one year by either party 
given in July, 1874. 

This arrangement, brought about by mutual concessions, 
was fairly satisfactory to both parties. It was a great advan- 
tage for both to utilize the existing organization of the Chandler 
Department and to avoid the waste of duplication of equipment 
and instructors. The Agricultural Trustees secured the benefit, 
in financial phrase, of a "going concern," and yet contributed 
to its prosperity and had a certain voice in its control. The 
Dartmouth Trustees, putting aside the fears expressed in Presi- 
dent Smith's letter, accepted the oversight of the other Board 
in certain particulars, and yet had themselves the right of initia- 
tive and gained for the Chandler Department at least one 
additional professor and some additional financial support. But 
the contract did not become operative, for as it involved the 
interests of the Chandler Department it was subject to revision 
by the Visitors. On being presented to them it did not receive 
their approval and was consequently abandoned, leaving the 
whole subject open for discussion between the two Boards. 
In the catalogue of 1 866-1 867 announcement had been made 
of an expected organization of the new "Department of Instruc- 
tion" in readiness for the next academic year, but the veto of 
the Visitors postponed the opening, and the next catalogue 
announced that the necessary arrangements could not be made, 
and deferred the expected beginning for another year. During 
the following winter negotiations proceeded so successfully 
that a new contract was signed April 7, 1868.^ 

This contained no reference to the Chandler Department, 
but it was looked at askance by the Chandler men, and at the 
meeting of the Trustees in April, 1868, for the consideration of 
the new contract between the two institutions, a letter of vigor- 
ous protest against any union of the Chandler School and the 
Agricultural College was received from Professor Woodman, 
then senior Professor in the Chandler School, and in July, 
after the contract had been signed, a communication from the 
Visitors expressed regret that they had not been consulted 
in connection with it, and the fear that the new institution might 
prove "a rival school." Their letter was spread upon the 
records but produced no effect, the Trustees considering the 

« For the contract see Appendix F. 



356 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI 1 1. 

subject as outside the province of the Visitors, as it had no 
relation to the Chandler School. To make their position clear 
the Trustees at an adjourned meeting in August declared in 
their record: 

That the reason why the Agricultural College was established as a separate 
Department, was, in the first place, that a plan for its union with the Scientific 
Department, which there was reason to suppose would be satisfactory to all, 
had been vetoed by the Visitors; and, in the second place, an elaborate com- 
munication was afterward received from the senior Professor of the Scientific 
Department expressing his decided conviction that it would be unwise to 
have any union of the Agricultural Department with the Scientific. 

In these circumstances the Trustees of the Agricultural College unani- 
mously voted to establish that Institution as a distinct department and so 
presented the matter to the Board. The Board are convinced besides, that 
there can be no antagonism between the two departments, each having its 
own proper sphere and peculiarities, and meeting educational wants specifically 
different. 

To outline for the future their relation to the Visitors the 
Board further voted: 

Whereas, in the present enlargement of the College, with the increase of 
the number of its Departments, and the complicated relations between them, 
it is more important than at any former time, that each be kept in the dis- 
tinctness appropriate to it, thus the better insuring a harmonious whole, 
therefore 

Resolved i. That it is expedient that the two Boards connected with 
the Chandler Scientific Department, — the Trustees of Dartmouth College 
and the Visitors of the Scientific Department — should hereafter, according 
to the prevalent usage in such cases, hold separate sessions and keep separate 
minutes thereof. 

Resolved 2. That whenever any meeting of the Trustees is held, due notice 
thereof shall be given to the Visitors. 

Resolved 3. That whenever at any such meeting, any business pertaining 
to the Scientific Department shall be transacted, a copy of the record thereof 
shall be immediately furnished to the Board of Visitors, thus giving them an 
opportunity to exercise the revisionary powers which, in the nature of their 
office, and by the will of the founder of the Department, pertain to them. 

A beginning of a Faculty for the new Department was made 
in the spring of 1868 by the appointment of Ezekiel W. Dimond, 
a graduate of Middlebury College, as professor of general and 
agricultural chemistry, and in the next year by that of Dr. 
Thomas R. Crosby as professor of animal and vegetable physi- 
ology. Teaching in other subjects was done by members of 
the other Faculties on the same terms as in the Chandler Depart- 
ment. The requirements for admission included the subjects 



1863-1877] Administration of President Smith. 357 

pursued in the common schools and called for an examination 
in arithmetic, English grammar and geography, to which history- 
was added in the next year. The course of study covered three 
years, junior, middle and senior, the subjects of the first year, 
algebra, geometry, bookkeeping, physical geography, botany, 
chemistry and physics being required of all students, but in 
the middle and senior years a choice was allowed between a 
course in agriculture and one in the mechanic arts, each con- 
tinuing through the two years; military tactics are mentioned 
in the catalogue as "through the whole course," but owing to 
the lack of an instructor gymnastic exercises were for some years 
substituted for them. The year, divided into two terms, ended 
about the last of April, giving to the students an opportunity 
of returning to the work of the farm for the summer. Tuition 
was $15 a term. 

Provision for housing the expected students was made in the 
summer of 1868 by the purchase of the hotel property at the 
corner of Main and South Streets for $3,500, and nearly $2,000 
was spent in the attempt to make it convenient and attractive. 
It was christened "South Hall" and was regarded as the pecu- 
liar dormitory of the Agricultural Department. Other students 
occasionally roomed there, but it was never popular even with 
the agricultural students, who withdrew from it when they 
could find quarters elsewhere, and on the opening of Conant 
Hall in September, 1874, deserted it entirely. Subsequently 
it was used as a tenement and falling to decay was burned, 
without regret on the part of any one, on the night of July 11, 
1888. 

By the terms of the contract the College was to provide 
recitation and lecture rooms for the students of the new Depart- 
ment, but the Trustees of the Agricultural College soon felt 
that it would be better for it to have a building of its own, 
one that would be "recognized as its local habitation, containing 
a chemical laboratory and lecture room, an agricultural and 
mechanical museum, recitation rooms, library room, and other 
appropriate and serviceable apartments." The expression of 
their wish was cordially received by the Trustees of the College, 
who at a special meeting, held May 4, 1869, offered to employ 
in the erection of such a building $15,000 of what they expected 
to receive from the estate of David Culver and $10,000 which 
were expected from the estate of Mrs. Culver, provided the 
Trustees of the Agricultural College would contribute $15,000 



358 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIII. 

to a building to cost not over $40,000, and to be called, in honor 
of the chief donor, " Culver Hall." It was to be occupied jointly 
by the two institutions under specified regulations, and the 
expense of running it was to be paid by each college in proportion 
to the use made of it. The $15,000 needed to secure the building 
were appropriated by the Legislature on July 9, 1869, with a 
proviso, that if the connection between the two colleges should 
be at any time dissolved Dartmouth College should repay this 
sum to the State. The construction of this building was put 
in charge of a committee consisting of President Smith, Professor 
Hitchcock and Professor Dimond, but the main care of the 
details of the work was entrusted to Professor Dimond, who 
for several years acted as a kind of general agent of the institution. 

Although the money from the estates of General and Mrs. 
Culver had not been received, the Trustees determined to antici- 
pate its payment and to proceed with the building. Mr. 
Edward Dow of Concord was selected as architect and the plans 
decided upon called for a building of brick 100 feet long, 60 
feet wide and four stories high, including a high basement with 
a granite ashlar and a story secured by a Mansard roof. 

Ground was broken in the fall of 1869, but the work on the 
building was brought to a standstill by the great freshet of 
that year, which not only rendered the roads impassable to 
heavy loads of stone, but flooded the yard where several hundred 
thousand brick, which had been contracted for, were ready for 
burning, ruining the brick and carrying off the wood which was 
to be used as fuel. Operations were renewed in the spring and 
on the 23d of June the corner stone was laid with much ceremony. 
The Legislature, then in session, adjourned for the day and 
reached Hanover by a special train a little before noon. After 
a lunch, the day, which had been threatening, having become 
clear and hot, the exercises began. The introductory part was 
described in the current number of the Aegis in a way which 
incidentally shows that the habits of undergraduates have 
undergone little change. "A procession was formed," it says, 
"at two o'clock of the legislators and students, the former 
numerous, the latter scanty in numbers, most of the under- 
graduates preferring to lounge in the shade. The procession 
marched around the Common led by the Lebanon band, which 
furnished quite good music, its favorite air being the plaintive 
ballad, 'Put me in my little Bed,' the touching beauty of whose 



1863-1877] Administration of President Smith. 359 

strains was only equalled by their remarkable appropriateness 
to the occasion." 

The corner stone was laid by Governor Onslow Stearns with 
addresses by President Smith and others, after which plans of 
the building were exhibited and explained. By June of the 
next year the work was completed and the building was dedicated 
just one year to the day from the laying of the corner stone. 

The cost of the building did not exceed the $40,000 assigned, 
but as a sufficient amount had not been received from the Culver 
estate to meet the expenses of construction as they were pre- 
sented, the College was obliged to borrow $10,000, which was 
repaid in 1874 on the settlement of the estate. Mrs. Culver's 
bequest, which was not fully paid till 1876, amounted to almost 
$10,000, so that the total amount received by the College from 
General and Mrs. Culver was $31,693.38. 

The terms of the settlement of General Culver's estate pre- 
vented the use of his farm as an experimental farm, even if 
its distance from Hanover had not made such use impracticable, 
and it, therefore, became very important to secure a farm for 
the use of the College in its immediate neighborhood. For- 
tunately a tract of twenty-five acres well suited to the purpose 
and directly opposite Culver Hall was found to be available, 
and was secured in August, 1869, at a cost of $3,625, through 
the gift of John Conant of JafTrey, who offered to the College 
for the purchase of a farm $12,000, provided the State would 
appropriate an equal sum to complete the purchase and erect 
the necessary buildings. The State accepted the ofTer and 
appropriated $5,000 in 1871 and $7,000 in 1872, but in the 
meantime, in September, 1870, a farm of 135 acres adjoining 
the parcel already secured was bought by Professor Dimond 
for $7,000 and held by him for transfer to the Agricultural 
College whenever it had the means to make the purchase. This 
was made possible by Mr. Conant's gift and the appropriations 
from the State, and the farm was further enlarged by the pur- 
chase of an adjoining tract of about two hundred acres of wood- 
land from A. P. Balch for $6,234, so that the College came into 
possession of land of varied character of 360 acres in extent. 

The management of the farm as well as the general interests 
of the Department were, subject to the general direction of 
President Smith, under the immediate charge of Professor 
Dimond, who threw himself heartily into the work of upbuilding 
the institution. Under his supervision a large barn 100 by 51 



360 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xill. 

feet was built in 1875 from appropriations by the State, to which 
in 1882 was added an ell of equal size for a cattle barn. A 
house for the farm superintendent was also built in 1882 at a 
cost of $6,000. In the same year with the barn there was 
erected, nearly opposite Culver Hall on a lot known as the 
Allen lot and bought in 1873 for $3,500, a large double brick 
house, connected in both stories by a covered passageway, 
and called "Conant Hall," form its donor. It was designed 
for the triple purpose of a residence for the farm superintendent, 
a dormitory for the students in place of South Hall, and a board- 
ing establishment, open to all students, which was to be supplied 
with the products of the farm and to furnish board at cost. It 
was designed by Mr. Dow, the architect of Culver Hall, and 
its cost, including equipm.ent, was $22,358. The rooms were 
large and well lighted and heated with steam, but there was a 
lack of conveniences so that the building was never a favorite 
dormitory, and as a boarding house it met with varied success 
according to the business ability and culinary skill of those who 
were secured to run it. After the removal of the Agricultural 
College the building was bought by the Dartmouth Trustees, 
and named "Hallgarten Hall," but though thoroughly remodelled 
it never won its way into the favor of the students. 

While the Agricultural Department was in process of organ- 
ization the university idea had a still further extension by the 
founding of the Thayer School of Civil Engineering, an essen- 
tially postgraduate department of the most exalted aims. It 
originated in the generosity of General Sylvanus Thayer, of 
Braintree, Mass., under the following circumstances.^ General 
Thayer was a graduate of Dartmouth of the class of 1807 and 
retained an ardent affection for the College, upon which he was 
desirous of bestowing a lasting benefit. Under the advice of 
Francis B. Hayes, one of the Visitors of the Chandler fund, 
General Thayer executed a will which made that fund the 

•Sylvanus Thayer, son of Nathaniel and Dorcas (Faxon) Thayer of Braintree, Mass., was 
born June 19. 1785- After graduation from Dartmouth ia 1807. he immediately entered the 
United States Military Academy at West Point and became second lieutenant of engineers 
in February, 1808. He advanced steadily in rank, gaining high repute as an officer in the 
War of 1812. After service for the Government in Europe from 1815 to 1817 he was appointed, 
June 28 of the latter year. Superintendent of the Military Academy at West Point, and his 
able management brought the School to the high position which it has since occupied, and 
secured for him the title of "The Father of the Military Academy." On leaving the Academy 
in June, 1833, he was entrusted with the construction of the fortifications in Boston Harbor 
and the neighboring coast, and was engaged in this work till i8s7- He was retired from active 
service June i, 1863, with the rank of brevet brigadier general, and returning to his native 
home at Braintree died there September 7, 1872, leaving the bulk of his estate, several hundred 
thousand dollars, to the Academy in that place, which now bears his name. 



1863-1877.] Administration of President Smith. 361 

residuary legatee of his estate. He was afterward induced 
by others connected with the College, wishing an earlier reali- 
zation of the benefit of his bounty, to substitute an immediate 
gift of a definite sum for the establishment of this new department 
as a distinct school of a higher grade. The nominal sum of 
$70,000 having been thus devoted by him between 1867 and 
1 87 1, the School was organized in the latter year, by Professor 
Robert Fletcher, who had been chosen by General Thayer for 
that purpose, with a carefully arranged course of two years. 
General Thayer further specified in an exact statement, called 
"Programme A," the subjects required for admission, which 
he directed should be "regarded as an absolute minimum," 
but which might be increased by the Board of Overseers. 

The care of the funds was given to the Trustees of the College, 
but the immediate government of the School to a Board of 
five Overseers, of whom the President of the College was to be a 
member ex officio, and the others, after the first appointment 
by himself, were to be elected by the Board. They were to 
fix the requirements for admission, draw out the course of study, 
appoint officers of instruction, and determine salaries and rate 
of tuition. The Trustees, however, were to have authority 
to remove ofBcers, and make laws for the government of the 
students. 

In the fall of 1870 one student was received to a preparatory 
course which, in view of the high requirements for admission, 
it was found necessary to establish. This was continued a 
second year and then abandoned, the mathematical course in 
the College having meantime been extended as an elective 
through junior year, for the benefit of those preparing for the 
Thayer School. At first the School was harbored in a room 
on the north side of the first floor in Wentworth; in 1872 it 
found a more commodious and more cheerful home in two rooms 
on the south side of the first floor in Thornton, where it expanded 
till it occupied the whole of that floor on the south side, leaving 
those quarters when it was able to secure ample accommodations 
in the experiment station vacated by the Agricultural College 
in 1892.^ Under the able care of Professor Fletcher, with whom, 

1 The building was secured for the Thayer School by Professor Fletcher, wh opaid $3,000 
for it; of this sum $1,8,50 came from funds subscribed for that purpose in New York and the 
balance from funds for which he was personally responsible. Two years later the College repaid 
Professor Fletcher the amount of his personal expenditure, adding enough to put the building 
into good condition for the work of the School, so that the total cost of the building to the 
College was about $4,000. 



362 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xill. 

as need required, a small faculty was associated, it increased 
slowly in numbers and gained an enviable reputation for the 
thoroughness and effectiveness of its training. 

Coincidently with the establishment of the Agricultural Col- 
lege and the Thayer School the Medical Department received a 
new impulse, partly from the general increased interest in medical 
education and partly from the greater attention that was given 
to the instruction of students in medicine throughout the year. 
The long standing custom, by which physicians in many places 
became preceptors of medical students for all their training 
except the lectures, became about this time largely localized. 
For rriany years Drs. Dixi and A. B. Crosby had several stu- 
dents under their personal instruction during the year, but after 
coming to Hanover Dr. Carlton P. Frost, who had long exer- 
cised the function of a medical preceptor, developed this work 
into that of a formal class, whose names appeared for the first 
time in the catalogue of 1 873-1 874 as of students attending 
during the recitation term. 

Another member of the medical Faculty, Dr. L. B. How 
of Manchester, had for some years a similar class, which to a 
considerable extent came to Hanover during the lecture term. 
Gradually these classes, and especially the one at Hanover, 
took the place of the work under scattered physicians acting 
as preceptors, since the latter were seldom able to offer equal 
facilities, particularly for dissecting. The result was beneficial 
both to the students and the College. Although the recitation 
term was purely a private enterprise, which Dr. Frost and 
those whom he associated with him in instruction conducted 
as to methods, times and fees as they saw fit, yet the students 
were allowed the benefit of the laboratories, museums and ana- 
tomical rooms as fully as during the lecture term, and most 
of those who came for the recitation term attended during the 
lecture term. 

The number of medical students, which had declined after 
the close of the war so that from 1866 to 1873 the average atten- 
dance was but forty-seven, suddenly rose in 1874 to seventy- 
eight and continued to gain for several years thereafter. 

The year 1869 was made memorable in the history of the 
College by the celebration of its first centennial, which was 
rendered more impressive and joyful by the hopeful conditions 
under which it was observed. The reviving prosperity of the 
College, indicated by the enlarged attendance of the students, 



1863-1877.] Administration of President Smith. 363 

the opening of the Agricultural Department and the assurance 
of the Thayer School, as well as by actual and prospective gifts 
of available funds, gave to the occasion a tone of cheer and 
expectation. The exercises naturally had to do with the past. 
The origin of the College, its great controversy and its later 
trials and successes, with its wide relations, were reviewed with 
pride and satisfaction, but in them all was the gratifying evidence 
that the close of one century and the beginning of another were 
marked by conditions that promised better things to come. 

In anticipation of the celebration the alumni at their gathering 
at Commencement in 1868 appointed a committee to consider 
the "Commemoration of the One Hundredth Anniversary of 
the Founding of Dartmouth College," which reported that it 
was desirable to have a festival during Commencement week 
of 1869, ample and generous in its scope, "for the gratification 
of the alumni and the substantial advancement of the College 
in all the elements of a sound and well established prosperity." 
At their suggestion a committee of sixteen, with President 
Smith as chairman, was appointed to prepare and carry out a 
programme for the celebration, and with this committee the 
Faculty was authorized by the Trustees at their annual meeting 
heartily to co-operate. 

The committee at a meeting at the house of President Smith 
November 24, 1868, arranged the programme for an elaborate 
celebration on Wednesday of Commencement week. The exer- 
cises of the other days were to go on as usual, but that day was 
to be especially devoted to the centennial exercises. To a sub- 
committee, consisting of President Smith, Professor Sanborn 
and William H. Duncan, was committed the duty of securing 
proper speakers for the occasion, while all local arrangements 
were put into the hands of Professor E. T. Quimby. General 
Gilman Marston was secured as marshal for the day, and Gen- 
eral Samuel A. Duncan and General Joab N. Patterson as 
assistant marshals, their recent service in the war having made 
them able, it was believed, to control the expected crowds and 
to keep in order the procession of turbulent alumni. This was 
the ambitious programme for the day •} 

1 Centennial Celebration at Dartmouth College, July 21, 1869, Hanover, N. H.; J. B. 
Parker, 1870, from which, with personal recollections, the account of the text is taken. 



364 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIII. 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 21. 
Forenoon, 10 o'clock. 

(i) Address of Welcome by President Smith. 

(2) Address by Ex-President Lord. 

(3) Historical address by Rev. Samuel G. Brown, D.D., LL.D. 

Afternoon, 2 o'clock. 

1. Introductory address by Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, President of the 

Alumni Association. 

2. Addresses on various relations of the College, as follows: 
(i) To Law, by Hon. Ira Perley, LL.D. 

(2) To Statesmanship, by Hon. Daniel Clark, LL.D. 

(3) To Literature, by Richard B. Kimball, Esq. 

(4) To Science and the Arts, by Hon. James W. Patterson. 

(5) To Medicine, by Dr. Jabez B. Upham. 

(6) To Military Life, by Gen. George F. Shepley. 

(7) To Education, by Samuel H. Taylor, LL.D. 

(8) To Religion, by Rev. Samuel C. Bartlett, D.D. 

3. Gymnastic Exhibition at 5^ o'clock, by the students, under the direction 

of Mr. Emerson. 

4. Promenade Concert in the Large Tent, at yf o'clock, by the Germania Band. 

Long before Commencement it was found that so many alumni 
and friends of the College expected to be present that the College 
church, the only auditorium, could not possibly contain those 
who would wish to hear the addresses, and that the hotel accom- 
modations and the hospitality of the village could not supply 
their wants. To afford a sufificient auditorium a mammoth 
tent, two hundred and five feet long and eighty-five feet wide, 
capable of holding five thousand persons, was borrowed from 
Yale College and pitched upon the Common. It was erected 
under the direction of a freshman, A. S. Batchellor of Littleton, 
on the western side of the Common, midway between north 
and south, its length being east and west and its front toward 
the south. On the north side of the interior a stage about half 
the length of the tent was built for the College ofificers, the 
speakers and guests, and settees were provided for the audience. 
The interior was profusely trimmed with bunting, streamers 
and flags, and the front of the platform and the back of the 
stage were draped with flags, while an arch behind the stage 
displayed the inscription, Centesimum annum, ah Academia 
condita, celebramiis; Aevi melioris auspicium felix hie dies sit. 
To aid in the lighting of the tent for the promenade concert 
several locomotive headlights were borrowed from the Passumpsic 



1863-1877.] Administration of President Smith. 365 

railroad, which were effective, but dazzHng to all who came 
within their direct rays. 

To secure accommodations requisition was made upon the 
neighboring towns, and lodgings were secured in Norwich, 
West Lebanon and White River Junction, special trains being 
run to and from the last place night and morning. Additional 
provision was made, for the younger alumni in particular, by 
tents which were furnished by the Adjutant General of the State. 
On the present site of Rollins Chapel two tents, twenty by thirty 
feet, were set up for the classes of 1867 and 1868, while in the 
open space in the rear of Dartmouth Hall one hundred army 
wall tents were pitched as bachelor quarters for whatever classes 
or individuals wished to occupy them. The problem of feeding 
the multitude could not be divided with the neighboring towns. 
Those who slept outside of Hanover could secure breakfast 
at their lodging places, but for their other meals and for the 
meals of many who stayed in the town provision had to be made 
in the village. For this purpose a temporary board structure, 
three hundred feet long and forty wide, with three wings on its 
western side, containing kitchens and a dining hall, was erected 
at the northeastern corner of the Common. It was under the 
charge of Asa T. Barron, the proprietor of several hotels, among 
them the one at White River Junction. Here meals were pro- 
vided for all who needed at seventy-five cents a meal, or a la carte, 
and here, after the exercises of graduation on Thursday, was 
served the Commencement dinner, at which twelve hundred 
sat down, eight hundred of them being alumni of the College, 
and two hundred the alumni of other colleges.^ 

The exercises of the earlier days of Commencement week 
were of the usual description, marked only by a suppressed 
excitement in view of the coming celebration. The great day, 
the 2 1st, at last opened, says Mr. Duncan in his account, "with 
a clear and beautiful sky, and a fresh breeze from the distant 
hills. The national banners which had been run up above the 
tent were all floating upon the air, waving and fluttering as if 
to salute all who came to honor the occasion. Every avenue 
to the place was filled with those who were coming in all kinds 
of vehicles, from the stately coach to the 'one horse shay' — 

1 There was, perhaps inevitably, considerable complaint in regard to the catering in general 
and the dinner in particular, so that when, after Commencement, Mr. Barron, invited several 
members of the Faculty to take a trip among the mountains as his guests, a local wit, Ira B. 
Allen, remarked that he did this "to take off the cuss of the dinner." Dr. W. T. Smith 
in Hanover Forty Years Ago, p. 5- 



366 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIIL 

to say nothing of those who came on foot. By nine o'clock 
the town was filled to overflowing." The procession formed in 
the College yard in the following order : 

The undergraduates in the order of their classes; 

The Germania Band; 

The President of the College; 

The Governor of the State and his Aides; 

The Honorable Board of Trustees; 

The Faculty and Executive Officers of the College; 

The Chief Justice of the United States; 

The Judges of the Supreme Court of New Hampshire and other States; 

Senators and Representatives in Congress; 

The Army and Navy; 

Invited guests of the College and distinguished Strangers; 

The Alumni in the order of the Classes, beginning with the Class of 1804, 

and ending with the Class of 1868. 

The procession passed from the college yard across the north 
end of the Common, down its west side to the south, whence 
it marched directly to the entrance of the tent. Ex-President 
Lord, who was expected to make one of the addresses of the 
day, was prevented by illness from so doing, but he was able 
to sit at his chamber window and review the procession as it 
passed. Many of his former students recognized him, and all 
as they passed went with uncovered heads. The exercises of 
the morning, except for the address of ex-President Lord, passed 
off as arranged, under the charge of Salmon P. Chase, chief 
justice of the United States, president of the alumni. Prayer 
was offered by Dr. Barstow of the Trustees, and after music 
by the band President Smith gave an address of welcome in 
his happiest vein. The historical address by President Brown 
of Hamilton College, son of President Brown of Dartmouth, 
was worthy the occasion, sketching in clear outline the origin 
and progress of the College and indicating the principles under- 
lying its foundation and government. The morning closed with 
the singing by the audience, to the tune of America, of an ode 
written for the occasion by Dr. John Ordronaux of the class 
of 1850. 

Assembling again at two in the afternoon the audience was 
prepared for a series of brilliant addresses on the various rela- 
tions of the College, but there was one event not in the pro- 
gramme. Judge Chase began the exercises with a pleasing 
ex tempore address. Three of the assigned addresses were then 
given, when, to break the succession, a poem written for the 



1863-1877] Administration of President Smith. 367 

occasion by George Kent of the class of 18 14 was read by Judge 
Barrett of Vermont. As he was reading there came the inter- 
ruption for which there had been no provision. A shower, 
announced by heavy thunder, burst upon the tent as if the very 
windows of heaven had been opened and the audience made 
the appalHng discovery that the tent was not waterproof. Judge 
Barrett, who was of sterner stuff than to yield to wind and 
rain, held his post and only read the louder. But it was of no 
use; at first in vapory thinness, then in sheets and streams 
the water poured through the canvas of the tent. A few had 
umbrellas, some held settees as a roof above their heads, others, 
including the chief justice and most of the dignitaries from the 
stage, sought beneath the platform a refuge from the flood, 
but they had forgotten the cracks between the boards, and as 
the water poured through them in concentrated fury the dis- 
appointed victims found that their last estate was wetter than 
their first. 

The shower was as brief as it was fierce, and as it passed away, 
the audience took heart with the returning sun and though 
clothes were soaked, toilettes disarranged and finery ruined, 
it resumed its place with numbers almost undiminished. Judge 
Barrett who had left the stage with slouched hat and dripping 
garments came back and finished reading the poem. Senator 
Patterson delivered his address, which Mr. Duncan says "was 
by no means a dry one," and received the compliment of "the 
undivided attention of the audience which had been thrown into 
confusion by the storm, and which was not only wet, but soaked 
and thoroughly uncomfortable." 

Further attention, however, was impossible and the remaining 
exercises were postponed till the following day after the alumni 
dinner. Later in the afternoon the gymnastic exercises of the 
students under Mr. Emerson took place successfully in the 
open space in front of the tent, in the presence of a great crowd. 
On the next day after the dinner the throng again gathered 
in the tent and the speaking was renewed, at first, however, of 
the less formal kind. Governor Stearns representing the State, 
expressed its assured good will for the College. He was followed 
by Gen. W. T. Sherman, son of the College by adoption, who 
had received from it the degree of LL.D., when present at Com- 
mencement in 1866, and who now, on rising to speak, was enthu- 
siastically cheered. 

The audience was a notable one, containing distinguished 



368 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIII. 

men and women from all parts of the country and impressing 
all with its unusual character. Several speakers were called 
upon and every one, as he came forward, declared his 
embarrassment in speaking before such a company, till John 
Wentworth of the class of 1836 was introduced. Rising from 
his place in the audience and slowly mounting the stage, with 
his giant form, six feet ten inches in height and well proportioned, 
towering above all, he glared about him and said with great 
deliberation, "Perhaps you think that I'm embarrassed, but I 
ain't." The effect was electrical, the audience was convulsed 
and it was some moments before he could proceed, but then 
it was in a manner that justified his beginning. The informal 
speaking was followed by the addresses which had been post- 
poned from the day before, and with a few words of congratu- 
lation and a prayer and the benediction President Smith brought 
the literary exercises of the centennial to a close, but the festiv- 
ities came to an end only in the evening with the promenade 
concert in the tent. 

The year of the centennial was made memorable by an event 
of a different kind. The month of October witnessed the severest 
freshet since 1849. During the month there was a rainfall 
of 9.245 inches besides half an inch of snow, but the greater 
part of it was concentrated within two days between the 
3d and the 5th, when there was a fall of 6.07 inches of rain.^ 
The damage was very great. Every bridge on the roads con- 
necting the town with others was swept away except that over 
the river leading to Norwich, and that over Mink Brook on the 
road to Lebanon at the turn a mile this side of Etna. The mill 
on Blood Brook was damaged and the railroad bridge below 
the mill was started from its foundations. There were said to 
be fifty washouts on the Passumpsic railroad, and the interrup- 
tion to railway communication was so complete that no mail 
from New York came to Hanover for a week. The last remnant 
of the old dam at White River Falls was carried away by the 
water. The appearance of the river, covered with pumpkins 
and other farm produce and driftwood, resembled the flood of 
1771. 

In anticipation of the centennial there had been considerable 
attention paid to the outward appearance of the College. At 
the election of President Smith a committee of the Trustees 
was directed to consider the condition of the college buildings, 

' Observatory Records; The Dartmouth, October, 1869. 



1863-1877] Administration of President Smith. 369 

but the state of the finances allowed nothing beyond the most 
necessary repairs. For many years the Observatory hill had 
attracted Judge Parker, and recognizing the possibilities of 
its artistic development in 1867 he gave 7,500 young trees of 
many varieties imported from Europe to be set out upon it. 
In the same year a firm of landscape gardeners, Messrs. Lee 
and Follen of Boston, was secured through the genersoity of 
Dr. Edward Spalding of Nashua, one of the Trustees, to prepare 
a plan for the improvement of the place, but nothing definite 
came of their suggestions. In the next year Judge Parker 
added to his previous gift 7,500 seedling trees from the nursery 
of Andre Leroy of Angers, France, and also gave $1,000 for 
the purchase of land to extend the park on the south and east. 
The many kinds of trees that now beautify the park came from 
the generosity of Judge Parker, but the paths which somewhat 
uncertainly intersect it were made later by the students under 
the direction of President Bartlett. 

In the year before the centennial the buildings and the grounds 
about them were made more presentable. The three brick 
buildings about the college yard received a coat of yellow wash, 
bringing the red of Wentworth and Thornton into harmony 
with Reed, which had been yellow from the beginning. The 
chapel in Dartmouth Hall was thoroughly refreshed with paint, 
though the outside of the building was not touched. The 
little organ in the chapel that had been so often tampered with 
in the attempt to produce discord in the singing as to be totally 
unreliable, was replaced by a pipe organ of considerable size, 
the gift of various friends, and though it lacked both sweetness 
and richness of tone it was yet a great improvement and added 
dignity to the service. 

In the fall of 1868 and the spring of 1869 the College church, 
which, though not a college building, was the place of college 
worship, was greatly improved. Its uncarpeted floors and 
uncomfortable, cushionless seats had long been the object of 
student anathemas, among whom it went by the name of the 
"college barn," and now drew the attention of the ladies of the 
village, who by subscriptions and by various measures raised 
money for its renovation. A couple of entertainments consisting 
of charades, wax works and character representations, given in 
the hall of the Dartmouth hotel, were very successful in raising 
funds. The interior of the church was painted, the seats widened, 
"so that one could go to sleep upon them without danger of 

84 



370 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xill. 

falling off," and provided with cushions. Carpets relieved the 
bareness of the floors and furnaces took the place of stoves 
and did away with the long pipes that had festooned the chimneys 
and perfumed the air with creosote. By the gift of Mr. H. C. 
Lord of Cincinnati the foundations of the building were repaired 
and two porches were constructed on the sides of the tower, 
which enlarged the entrance and made access to the galleries 
much more convenient. 

In the spring of 1867 the sweet- toned bell, that for nearly forty 
years had rung from the belfry of Dartmouth Hall the call to 
prayers and recitations and that had been the object of many 
a student's prank, showed a crack that was at first checked, 
but in a little while passed beyond control, and soon the bell 
became only a mass of jangling metal. It was replaced by a 
heavier bell from the foundry of Meneely and Co., Troy, N. Y., 
but this new one cracked within the year and was in turn replaced 
by one from the same maker in 1869.^ An account of these 
bells will be found in another place. 

Dr. Smith's administration was aided by an event that occurred 
in June, 1864, and that brought the village more fully under 
the action of the prohibitory law and removed the open saloon 
from the place. It will be remembered that this law went into 
operation in 1855 and did much to clean up the village, but the 
sentiment was naturally not wholly in its favor, and one of the 
former saloon keepers, Horace Frary, still continued the sale 
of liquor to some extent. After a time, in 1857, he became 
proprietor of the Dartmouth hotel and his sales became much 
more open and were not confined to his guests. The temper- 
ance people determined to bring the traffic to an end, and on 
the 14th of June a raid was directed against the hotel in which 
liquors were seized, whose value was estimated at $3,000.^ Frary 
had probably received an intimation of the coming raid and 

» As this second bell stood on a dray in front of Dartmouth Hall, waiting to be raised, a group 
of students gathered about it just as President Smith was passing. The President stopped, and, 
reading the Latin inscription on the bell, straightened himself and said in rather grandiloquent 
phrase: "Ora ei labora: A happy conjunction." After he had gone, one of the students hesi- 
tatingly said: "Ora et labora. I don't see how the Prex gets 'A happy conjunction' out of that." 

^Granite Stale Free Press, June i8, 1864. The advertisement of the sheriff's sale describes 
the liquors seized as follows: "6 decanters containing one pint of either rum, gin or brandy, 
three bottles of wine, three pipes of gin one hundred gallons each, two pipes of whiskey, one 
containing seventy five gallons, the other sixty gallons, one hogshead of Santa Cruz Rum, 
containing one hundred gallons, two casks of whiskey, each containing thirty gallons, four 
casks of brandy, containing sixty gallons in all; two casks of wine containing 35 gallons; one 
cask containing 30 gallons of Proof Rum; one cask of pure spirit 35 gallons; one cask of Gin 
35 gallons; five casks of Rum of 40 gallons each; seven casks so per cent alcohol, 40 gallons 
each; three casks of whiskey containing 40 gallons each; one Jug containing 2 gallons of rum." 



1863-1877-] Administration of President Smith. 371 

the day before it came he sold all his liquor to Jonathan G. 
Currier, of whom he had bought the hotel, and Mr. Currier 
had put his name upon each cask and receptacle, and after the 
raid he claimed them as his property. The case came to court 
and was settled by a partial compromise; Mr. Frary paid a 
fine and the liquor was ordered to be removed to some place 
not less than fifty miles from Hanover. It was returned to 
New York to the parties from whom it was bought, and Mr. 
Frary permanently retired from the business of liquor selling, 
greatly to the benefit of the College and the community. As 
will be seen from the list of liquors seized, the drinking of those 
days, among the students as among others, was mainly of the 
stronger liquors and violent intoxication was relatively more 
frequent. The closing of Frary's bar did not close all sources 
of supply, but it made it more difficult to obtain liquor and to 
that extent aided sobriety in the College. 

The main cause of discipline in the College, aside from intem- 
perance, was the relation of the two lower classes, which par- 
ticularly in the fall term led to collisions and disturbances of 
various kinds, such as breaking of windows, injury of recitation 
rooms, and greasing of the seats of a class in chapel. President 
Smith made a vigorous attempt to bring about a better relation, 
and in the fall of 1865 the Faculty required the sophomore class, 
as a condition of continuing in college, to give an individual 
pledge to abstain from all insult and abuse of every kind of 
the freshman class, including injuries to persons, rooms or 
property. All but one, who was absent, gave the required 
pledge, but so difficult of interpretation is such a pledge that 
on the next day four sophomores engaged in conduct which 
the Faculty described as "grossly disturbing the recitation 
of the Freshman class in a manner not only annoying to the 
class, inasmuch as the exercise was seriously interrupted by it, 
but insulting to the Professor in charge, the whole being in 
circumstances specially indicative of hostility to college order, 
and being particularly aggravated, as having occurred imme- 
diately after a pledge had been given by them to avoid such 
conduct." The sophomores, however, made written and oral 
statements utterly "disavowing the wrong intentions imputed 
to them, " on the strength of which and of a petition from the class 
their sentence of suspension was held in abeyance, on condition 
of there being no further disturbances by the class and that 
the class "cease from the loud and annoying cry for the football." 



372 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIII. 

The "cry for the football" resulted from the practice of 
requiring the freshmen to furnish footballs, and at noon and 
after supper the whole college, or the upper classes, joined in 
the cry "Football, Freshie," and at other times, when no ball 
was desired and when no playing would have been allowed, 
the cry was raised as a means of annoyance, not infrequently 
a group of sophomores gathering under the windows of a room 
where a recitation of the freshmen was being held and by their 
cries for football making the exercise almost impossible. The 
balls were of rubber and easily punctured, and it was a common 
thing in the evening game, after the ball had been kicked for 
a time, for one of the sophomores to cut the ball and having 
deflated it to carry it off hidden in his clothes. His actions 
were invariably observed and as the freshmen attempted to 
recover the ball and the sophomores to protect their man a 
rush inevitably ensued. Sometimes the rushes occurred in the 
daytime, and as it was easier in the light to detect an attempt 
to hide the ball they were then fiercer and more prolonged 
and broke in upon study hours, and it was the desire to do away 
with this evil that led to the demand that the sophomores should 
cease from these cries. 

There was a temporary lessening of rushes, but that the soph- 
omoric spirit was not effectually quenched by the pledge is 
shown by the fact that within a month the Faculty found it 
necessary, out of a class of thirty-three, to dismiss two, suspend 
four and put on probation four more for "an attack upon the 
freshman class at the hour of recitation and in locking them 
out of their recitation room in the presence of members of the 
Faculty," and that within another month three more came under 
discipline for similar offences. The experience with a pledge 
as a whole was not so happy as to justify its use the next year, 
and the old evil of rushes again appeared. To bring them to an 
end the Faculty adopted in the fall of 1868 a new plan and for- 
bade the game of football entirely with the existing "mode of 
furnishing the ball and its tendencies to noise and rushes," 
and they declared that they would not revoke the prohibition 
till they were sure that those evils would not recur." ^ 

This measure, touching, as it did, the whole college, was more 
effective and the students wished to recover the lost game, 
but it was two years before the Faculty allowed the game to 
be revived, and then only on the conditions that there should 

Faculty Records, September 7. 1868. 



1863-1877-] Administration of President Smith. 373 

be no rushes and no cutting or stealing of balls, that the balls 
should be furnished by no one class and that the yelling for 
the ball should be stopped. President Smith at first furnished 
the balls himself, but later they were for a time furnished by 
the College. ^ In the long run this measure was successful, 
though occasion for rushes between the classes was still found 
in connection with hats and canes. After one of these in the 
spring of 1875 the sophomores petitioned to be allowed to have 
some contest of strength, such as a "rope pull"; to this the 
Faculty acceded, and for some years there was a contest of that 
general nature. 

One great element in relieving the tension between the 
classes was the introduction in the fall of 1865 of the new sport 
of baseball, which, beginning with a private club, soon spread 
through the College and led to the organization of class teams 
and also of one representing the College. This team began 
by a game with Amherst at Hanover, in the spring of 1867, 
the series of intercollegiate contests which has since grown to 
such dimensions in all directions. The formation of a college 
team, on which a member of any class might find a place accord- 
ing to his skill, did much toward breaking down the separation 
of the classes and worked for the unity of college feeling as 
against the division of class feeling. 

It was in connection with the development of athletics that 
in 1866, after much discussion, green was adopted by the stu- 
dents as the college color, and later the increasing number of 
contests, with the corresponding necessity for the organized 
expression of feeling, for which the old hurrah was insufificient, 
brought into existence the college cry of " Wah-hoo-wah." It 
was devised by Daniel A. Rollins of the class of 1879, who com- 
bined in it to a rare degree sentiment and sound, for while it 
seems to suggest by a kind of whoop the Indian tradition in 
the founding of the College, it also possesses the true excellence 
of an effective cry, a rhythmic cadence and a great volume of 
sound. When properly given with slow and sonorous utterance 
it will in the mouths of a hundred men overpower any other 
known cry given by twice as many. 

Then, as now, the students were ready to break the monotony 
of academic life by celebrations of any kind. On the morning 
of April I, 1865, the news reached Hanover of the fall of Rich- 

> This does not appear in the records of the Faculty, but is given in The Dartmouth for October, 
1870. 



374 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIII. 

mond. ^ There was a tradition in college that President Lord, 
in his disbelief in such an event, had promised the students a 
holiday whenever Richmond should be taken. When the news 
reached Hanover the students abandoned their exercises and 
marching in a body across the river joined forces with the Norwich 
cadets, and returning later in the day paraded the streets with 
calls for speeches from members of the Faculty. In passing 
they called upon ex-President Lord who responded in a speech 
in which he did not deny his sympathy with the losing side. 
The students listened quietly and at the close one of the leaders 
called for three cheers for the Union cause. They were given 
with a will, when another sprang forward and called for cheers 
for a man who had the courage of his convictions. They were 
given with equal vigor, making a spirit honorable alike to the 
speaker and the students. 

There was very little change during the first years of President 
Smith's administration in the course of study. The coming 
of Professor Young infused new life into the physical and astro- 
nomical department, and to make the observatory correspond 
to his requirements the Trustees in l866 appropriated $1,050 
for apparatus, of which $400 were for a recording barometer, 
$150 for an anemometer, $350 for a spectroscope and $150 for 
general repairs. Five years later $5,000, contributed by various 
persons, were devoted to the futher enlargement and improve- 
ment of the astronomical equipment. The old 6-inch telescope 
was replaced by a new one of 9.4-inch aperture and twelve feet 
focal length from Alvan Clark and Son, and with it was a spec- 
troscope of corresponding size. 

The growing reputation of Professor Young in spectroscopic 
work led to his being called to engage in various scientific ex- 
peditions in which spectroscopy had a part. Thus, in the summer 
of 1869, accompanied, as an assistant, by Mr. C. F. Emerson, 
afterward Professor, he went to Burlington, Iowa, to observe 
a total eclipse of the sun, where he discovered the green line of 
the corona spectrum. In 1870 he went to Jeres in Spain, to 
observe a similar eclipse, where with his new spectroscope and 
the 6-inch telescope of the College he saw the "flash spectrum" 
and discovered the "reversing layer," of whose reality he re- 
mained the champion against the doubts of scientists till its 
confirmation in 1896. In the same year he made, with the as- 
sistance of Mr. H. O. Bly, the village photographer, the first 

« Granite Stale Free Press, April 8. 1865. 



1863-1877-] Administration of President Smith. 375 

photograph of a solar prominence. Two years later, again with 
Professor Emerson, he spent the summer in Sherman, Wyoming, 
in the observation of the chromosphere and sun spots. In 1874 
he visited Pekin, China, to observe the transit of Venus, Much 
of the work that formed the basis of his later fame was done at 
Dartmouth and with the instruments now in use at the observa- 
tory.^ 

The marking system of the College was on a scale of 4, extend- 
ing from I as perfect to 5 as a zero, but there was no point be- 
tween the two that marked the limit of passing or failing, so 
that if one fell below it he failed to retain his place in College. 
An attempt was made in 1866 to introduce a more exact standard, 
and the Faculty voted that a notice should be sent to a student 
whose mark fell below 3, and that a student whose mark fell 
below 3.5 should lose standing and be on partial course. Ex- 
aminations had always been rated separately from the recita- 
tion record and there had been no definite relation between them, 
owing perhaps to the fact that the marks for the semi-annual 
examination were made by a committee from abroad and not by 
the Faculty. 

This system was so unsatisfactory that in 1869 each instructor 
was directed to mark the examination of each student, and 
giving the examination mark one ninth the value of the recita- 
tion mark to unite the two. The dissatisfaction with the marks 
of the examining committees became so great that two years 
later the marks of the Faculty were given equal weight with 
those of the committee, and a little later the latter were entirely 
disregarded. This result necessarily followed on the introduc- 
tion of written examinations, which at the suggestion of the 
Trustees began in the spring of 1872. Oral examinations still 
continued at the end of the year in some subjects, but their 
number steadily decreased till they came to an end in 1893. 
In 1874 the passing grade of the written examinations was set 
at 40 per cent., corresponding to the mark of 3.5 on the merit 
scale, but in 1877 it was raised to 50 per cent, and the dropping 
point on the scale to 3. 

A very slight suggestion of electives was made by the Trustees, 
who commended to the Faculty in 1869, with a fine discrimina- 
tion in the use of terms, "a limited and cautious use of the elect- 
ive principle, particularly in the department of the higher 

I Dartmouth Bi-Monthly, October, 1905. Article on Professor Young by Professor John N. 
Poor. 



376 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xill. 

mathematics," a manifest squinting toward the preparation 
for the Thayer School. The fruit of the suggestion appeared 
in the next catalogue when a choice was offered in the third term 
of sophomore year between French and calculus, but so cautious 
was the change that after a few years this election was entirely 
withdrawn, and it was not till 1878 that in the first two terms 
of sophomore year calculus was made elective with the classics. 

Another suggestion of the Trustees, made in 1871, that the 
requirements for admission be raised, was not carried out till 
1874, when the addition in Greek was made of twenty exercises 
in composition, and in mathematics the whole of plane geometry 
was substituted for three books of that subject, while in the 
next year the candidate was called upon for English and Ameri- 
can history in addition. Mathematics developed a true Oliver 
Twist tendency in wishing for more, and in 1876 changed its 
requirements from the school algebra to university algebra as far 
as quadratics, and added solid to plane geometry', and Latin, 
which thus far had made no change, added the Georgics to its 
requirement, the sum total of all the additional requirements 
being nearly a year's work in a preparatory school. This, how- 
ever, proved too great a burden and after two years the require- 
ment of solid geometry was withdrawn. In 1880 Greek and 
Roman history was substituted for English history, and a compo- 
sition in English for English grammar. 

Among other things during this period the Trustees turned 
their attention to Commencement, and first desired the Faculty 
to make such an arrangement of the excerises as to give more 
time to the alumni. The result of their hint did not at once 
appear, inasmuch as it was not till 1876 that, except at the cen- 
tennial, the calendar of Commencement week published in the 
catalogue made provision for a meeting of the alumni. They 
were more successful in removing the class day exercises from 
the church, where they had been held. The chronicles and 
prophecies gave occasion for personalities unsuited to the place, 
and after an admonition those parts of the exercises were ex- 
cluded from the church in 1867, and were, henceforth, held on 
the hill, or, in case of rain, in the gymnasium. 

The number of speakers at Commencement was proving so 
burdensome, that in 1869 the Trustees suggested a smaller num- 
ber or less time to each speaker, but though the suggestion was 
repeated more earnestly two years later, a plan of reduction 
was not put into operation till 1874, the attempt in 1873 to have 



1863-1877-] Administration of President Smith. 2>77 

each man shorten his piece by one minute not having been 
successful. This plan, adopted by the Trustees on the recom- 
mendation of the Faculty, provided for the same number of 
appointments as before. The names of all were to appear on 
the programme, but only sixteen were to speak, the first four 
in rank, and twelve others selected from the remaining list on 
the basis of excellence in composition and elocution, divided 
as equally as might be between the classes in which the 
speakers were arranged. An absolute standard as a basis of ap- 
pointments for Commencement was suggested by the Trustees 
in 1872, but it was not put into operation till the summer of 
1880, when, with a standard of 1.4, the number of appointments 
was reduced to nineteen, but, as the number continued to be 
too large, in the following years resort was again had to ex- 
cusing some from speaking. 

There was considerable variation in the calendar during this 
period. The short winter term following a vacation of six weeks 
was abandoned in 1866, though, as a concession to teachers, 
the long vacation was still retained. A division of the college 
year of thirty-eight weeks into three terms was followed in 1871 
by an arrangement of two terms of twenty weeks each, with 
an extension of the summer vacation from six to nine weeks 
by bringing Commencement back to the last Thursday in June. 
This arrangement of terms lasted five years, when a return was 
had to a system of three terms, aggregating thirty-seven weeks, 
and separated by vacations of four weeks in the winter and two 
in the spring. 

The amount of work to be required of the senior class and 
the privilege of a senior vacation before Commencement were 
questions that were unsettled for some years. It had long been 
the custom that the senior class should have but two exercises 
a day, under the belief that the time gained by relief from the 
third exercise, required in other years, would be devoted to 
reading, but this belief was not justified in many and certainly 
not in the majority of cases. The Faculty frequently consid- 
ered the desirability of a third exercise, but hesitated to require 
it, partly because of the dislike of the students for additional 
work, but more from the difficulty of providing instruction. 
At last in the fall of 1871 a third exercise was required, but it 
was not continued beyond the following May, when the class 
was excused from it, "to allow time for the preparation of Com- 
mencement parts." Three years later an optional study was 



378 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xill. 

offered to the seniors, who, said The Dartmouth, "have an option 
between practical chemistry and nothing. All but eight have 
taken — nothing,'' the others being content with two exercises. 

As has been said. President Smith at his coming to the College 
was cordially received by the alumni and they showed themselves 
ready to second his endeavors for an increase of the resources 
of the College. One of the plans then set on foot was the erec- 
tion of a memorial hall in honor of the sons of Dartmouth who 
had given or risked their lives in the war for the Union. At a 
large gathering of the alumni at the Commencement of 1865 
Senator Patterson introduced a patriotic resolution, calling for a 
memorial and the appointment of a committee to consider the 
form it should take. A committee appointed on the passage of 
the resolutions reported in favor of an attempt to raise within 
a year fifty thousand dollars for a memorial hall, but the scheme 
did not pass beyond the stage of plans and an elevation of a 
building. 

The alumni were beginning to turn their thoughts toward the 
government of the College and to ask for a voice in its affairs. 
Expression was given to the feeling at the centennial when the 
question of the increase of the funds was declared to be closely 
connected with an intimate relation of the alummi to its manage- 
ment. A series of resolutions introduced by Professor Bartlett 
of Chicago, afterward president of the College, congratulated 
the Trustees in the warmest terms upon the prosperity of the 
College, but called for a "closer relationship between the College 
and its great and powerful body of graduates." The good will 
of the alumni was shown by another series of resolutions, in- 
troduced by Judge Barrett, proposing to raise for the College a 
fund of $200,000; the subscriptions were to be binding when 
$100,000 were pledged, and $22,000 were subscribed on the 
spot. It was manifestly intended, however, that subscriptions 
and representation should go hand in hand, for a committee of 
ten was appointed^ " to have in charge the whole matter of raising 
the fund and coming to a suitable understanding with the Board " 
in reference to the representation of the alumni upon it. 

This committee presented the resolutions to the Trustees 
at an adjourned meeting in August, together with a plan of 
representation, in which they asked that a minority of the Board 

» The committee consisted of Hon. Ira Perley, Dr. S. H. Taylor, Hon. Amos Tuck, Hon. 
Charles Reed, Rev. Dr. A. H. Quint, Hon. J. W. Patterson, Hon. Geo. W. Burleigh, Hon. 
James Barrett, Hon. Harvey Jewell, and Rev. Dr. S. C. Bartlett. 



1863-1877-] Administration of President Smith. 379 

should be elected upon the nomination of the alumni, each to 
hold office for a definite term of years and be eligible for re- 
election, that the other Trustees should hold their office for a 
limited term, that a committee of the alumni should be ap- 
pointed annually to examine the accounts of the Treasurer and 
make report on the financial condition of the College, that a 
change in the provision of the charter requiring that eight of 
the Board be residents of New Hampshire be considered, and 
that the two vacancies then existing in the Board remain until 
they could be filled by nomination of the alumni. 

The Trustees took the matter under advisement and it was 
not till the following July that they returned an answer couched 
in the President's suavest rhetoric, expressing the great grati- 
fication of the Trustees at the deep interest of the alumni in 
the welfare of the College, whose co-operation was indispensable 
to its progress, but giving a negative to every one of the requests. 
They made, however, a counter proposition that the alumni 
should appoint at their annual meeting an examining committee 
of six or nine, with alternates, whose names should be printed 
in the catalogue, and who by attending the summer examina- 
tions would have an opportunity to familiarize themselves 
with the working of the College and make suggestions to Trustees 
and Faculty, by which "a channel of facile and agreeable com- 
munication would be opened." Expressing the hope that the 
plan might go into operation at the next Commencement the 
Trustees gave their hearty approval to the proposal to raise 
a fund of $200,000, as the least sumx that would meet the pressing 
wants of the College. 

A skillful move on the part of the Trustees to spike the guns 
of the committee by the election of two of their number, Messrs. 
Quint and Burleigh, to the vacancies which the alumni had 
wished to fill, did not satisfy either the committee or the alumni, 
and on the presentation of the reply of the Trustees a lively 
debate ensued in the meeting of the alumni, in which no little 
dissatisfaction was expressed at the attitude of the Trustees, 
Dr. Bartlett leading the way in the ironical declaration of the 
pride that the alumni would feel in seeing their names printed in 
the catalogue. Interest in the subscription ended with the 
failure of the plan for alumni representation. It had been held 
in abeyance during the negotiations, and now, though not for- 
mally abandoned, was not prosecuted further. 

The plan though lost for the time being was not forgotten. 



38o History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIII. 

It was discussed among the alumni and at meetings of their 
local associations, and the sentiment became stronger and stronger 
that some means should be found for bending an apparently 
inflexible charter and for gaining a part for the alumni in the 
deliberations of the Trustees. It was not, however, till 1875 that 
the matter again took definite form. At the Commencement 
of that year a resolution of the New York Association was pre- 
sented to the General Association calling for alumni suffrage. 
This was referred to a committee for report at the next annual 
meeting, but it was presented by the New York Association to 
the Trustees also, where it roused -an earnest discussion, in which 
the two members of the former committee of the alumni held 
firmly to their cause. At an adjourned meeting at Concord, 
held August 12, the question was fully debated whether the 
Board favored the principle of alumni suffrage and on a divi- 
sion (three, including the Governor, being absent), four voted 
in the affirmative, and four in the negative. President Smith 
gave the casting vote in the affirmative. A definite plan for the 
operation of suffrage was carried by the same four against three, 
the President not voting. ^ 

The plan which the Trustees then adopted and proposed to 
the alumni at their next annual meeting in 1876 provided that 
the next three vacancies on the Board, including one outside of 
New Hampshire, should be filled on the nomination of the alumni. 
When a vacancy occurred the clerk of the Board was to notify 
the secretary of the alumni, who was to request each graduate 
of four years' standing of the Academic and Scientific Depart- 
ments to vote, over his own signature, for four candidates for 
the vacancy, restricted only by charter limitations of class or 
locality. From the four receiving the highest number of votes, 
as reported by the secretary, the Trustees agreed that "ordi- 
narily, and in all probability, invariably" they would elect 
some one to the vacant place. Changes in the plan might be 
made after conference, or it might be terminated by either party. 

The proposition was immediately accepted by the alumni, 
and two years later, in 1878, they were called upon to fill all 
three vacancies, two occasioned by the deaths of Dr. Peaslee 
and Mr. Burleigh, and one occasioned by the resignation of 
Dr. Bouton. The choice of the Trustees from the persons certi- 

' On the first vote the four in the affirmative were Messrs. Nesmith, Peaslee, Quint and 
Burleigh, and the four in the negative were Messrs. Bouton, Eastman, Fairbanks and Davis. 
On the second call Dr. Davis did not vote. 



1863-1877-] Administration of President Smith. 381 

fied fell upon Rev. Dr. William J. Tucker for the place of Dr. 
Peaslee, Mr. Hiram Hitchcock for the place of Mr. Burleigh 
and Governor B. F. Prescott for the place of Dr. Bouton. As 
Governor Prescott was then in office the Board for a year con- 
sisted of but eleven members.^ About 550 different persons 
sent in their ballots, and more than 250 different individuals 
were voted for. It was evident that the method involved great 
duplication and waste, yet in general there was satisfaction with 
the result. One of those elected had headed the poll, another 
had been in the second place by but a few votes, and the third, 
though not a graduate, falling behind two others, was known 
to be a man fitted for the place and from his nearness to the Col- 
lege in a position to be of special usefulness. For the time being 
the contention of the alumni for representation had secured 
its object, but at that very meeting a vote was passed looking 
toward possible amendments and improvements in the plan. 

After six years of arduous labor President Smith began to 
show signs of breaking down. Financial anxieties for the College, 
coupled with the strain of administration and especially with 
that of the centennial celebration, had been too great a load 
to carry. Once before he had been temporarily disabled, but 
his condition now demanded a complete rest. The Trustees 
urged a vacation and in December of 1869 he left the College 
and went to Jamaica, from which he returned in the following 
April fully restored. During his absence Professor Noyes was 
acting President and Rev. Dr. Benjam.in Labaree, ex-president 
of Middlebury College, .was engaged to aid in teaching, and he 
continued as lecturer on moral philosophy and international 
law for six years. 

On his return to Hanover President Smith found no lessening 
of the demands upon him. In addition to the ordinary care of 
the College he had for two years the extra labor incident to the 
opening of the Agricultural College and the organization of 
the Thayer School. With this came the financial burden of 
new buildings, for Culver Hall was erected, as has been said, 
in 1870, before the settlement of General Culver's estate, and 
the money had to be temporarily raised for its construction. 

» The persons certified and the votes were as follows: 

For 1st N. H. place. For 2nd N. H. place. For the place outside N. H. 

B.F. Prescott 318 B. F. Prescott 302 Walbridge A. Field 232 

Charles U. Bell 291 Charles U. Bell 261 Wm. J. Tucker 218 

Hiram Hitchcock 154 Hiram Hitchcock 162 Lincoln F. Brigham 154 

Geo. B. Spalding 147 Geo. B. Spalding 137 John Ordronaux 146 



382 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. xill. 

In the next year the building occupied by the Chandler School 
was entirely remodelled and enlarged. This had been rendered 
necessary by the increase in the numbers of the School, which 
had almost doubled in the seven years since Dr. Smith's 
accession. 

The building was owned by Moor's School, which had not suffi- 
cient funds with which to remodel it, and which was not an 
object for which an appeal could be made to the public with any 
expectation of success. President Smith was, therefore, forced 
to turn to the friends of the Chandler School, and successfully 
approached them in an appeal for funds to give increased ac- 
commodations to the School. After much labor he secured 
$3,575 to use in the reconstruction and enlargement of the old 
"Academy." This work "begun in July, 1871, was prosecuted 
so diligently that recitations were resumed in the building on 
the fifth of the ensuing March. The reconstruction of the edifice 
was on the lines of utility rather than beauty. The attractive 
old belfry was removed, the walls were raised and the sloping 
roof gave way to a Mansard roof, whose unsightly angles had 
the practical advantage of affording an additional story for recita- 
tion and drawing rooms, while the rearrangement of the interior 
with its increased accommodations greatly facilitated the work 
of the School and met its needs for the next twenty years. The 
total cost of the renovation was $7,037.32, of which not quite 
half was provided from the funds of Moor's School, and the 
balance from the contributions secured by President Smith. 
The rent paid by the Chandler School was adjusted and paid 
on the basis that the contributed funds were for the benefit of 
that School, till the purchase of the building by the College in 
1898 for $6,000. 

In the same year extensive alterations were begun in the 
medical building from funds that were contributed by Mr. E. W. 
Stoughton, a lawyer of New York City, through the interest 
of Dr. Phelps. Mr. Stoughton's gift of $12,000 was for the 
establishmient of a museum of pathological anatomy, but as 
the building contained no room suitable for such a museum 
a part of the money was devoted to the construction of one. 
The central portion of the building above the first story was 
cleared out and thrown into one large room. The outside walls 
of this part, in which the windows were bricked up, were raised 
considerably above the rest of the building and surmounted by 
a lantern which thoroughly lighted the interior, and this, by 



1863-1877] Administration of President Smith. 383 

means of a gallery, was divided into two stories and the walls 
were covered with cases for the exhibition of specimens. At 
the same time the large lecture room on the first floor was re- 
fitted, and a dissecting room built in the basement. The halls 
leading to these rooms were made convenient and even attract- 
ive with a wainscoating of black walnut, and the general re- 
sult was fairly given in the statement of the catalogue that 
"the facilities for teaching and for the accommodation of stu- 
dents have been greatly increased." These improvements, 
doubtless, had a decided influence in the increase of the number 
of students which nearly doubled in the next five years. 

One of the great difficulties in the way of instruction in the 
fall and winter was the lack of artificial light. The morning 
hours were not seriously disturbed by the lack, though in dark 
winter days the chapel exercises, beginning at ten minutes of 
eight, were held in a gloom that sometimes interfered with the 
reading. In the afternoon, however, the earlier approach of 
evening compelled a change in the hours of the exercises. Study 
hours, during which no sports were allowed, began at two o'clock 
and continued till six, including the afternoon recitation at five. 
As the afternoons shortened this exercise was brought forward 
by stages of half an hour, till in the shortest days it came at 
three, and when for any reason a class recited in two sections 
the earlier one was called in at two o'clock. 

The inconvenience of this arrangement could be obviated only 
by the use of artificial light, and the desirability of such light 
for recitation purposes was enforced by the danger of fire in 
the buildings from the use of kerosene in the rooms of the stu- 
dents. It was, indeed, a marvel that the buildings had so long 
escaped the risks that successively attended the use in so many 
rooms and by so many careless persons, of candles, whale oil, 
camphene, and kerosene, which in the course of years had followed 
one another as illuminants. Fires had several times started in 
the rooms but had fortunately been discovered in time to pre- 
vent serious damage, the presence of students in the buildings 
being a protection against the danger as well as a cause of it. 

The village, too, like the College, employed kerosene for the 
artificial lighting of its houses, while, except for an occasional 
lamp hung out by public-spirited individuals, the relief of the 
darkness of the streets at night was dependent on the grace of 
the moon and the weather combined. There was about this 
time an experiment in lighting the streets with gasoline, but 



384 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIII. 

it was far from successful, and it became evident that the only 
means of improving the lighting of College and village was 
the establishment of a gas plant, and fortunately this was begun 
in 1 87 1. The prime mover in the matter was Professor Dimond 
of the Agricultural Department. He was a man of enterprise, 
initiative and daring, as prompt to meet a need as he was to 
recognize it. Conferences by those interested in the matter, 
especially President Smith, Mr. Hiram Hitchcock and ex-Senator 
Patterson, resulted in the formation of a gas company, for which 
a charter was given July 3, 1872. Professor Dimond did not 
wait for the formation of the company, but by himself bought 
the house and lot where Wilson Hall now stands, and in the rear 
erected a plant for the manufacture of gas from oil. In laying 
the mains he used wooden pipes, which were much cheaper 
than iron and which, having been treated with some patent 
process, he believed would be enduring. The results did not 
conform to his expectations, and within a few years they had to 
be replaced with iron, but not before the gas, which escaped 
from the weak joints and porous sides, had played havoc with 
the shade trees of the village. Some of the most beautiful trees 
had to be cut down and many were seriously injured. 

The price of the new gas, which was set at $8 a thousand feet, 
was prohibitive for most, for though it was claimed that it was 
so rich that it had double the illuminating power of ordinary 
gas, and relatively was, therefore, not much more expensive than 
other gas, yet it was introduced into but few houses and into the 
church, which had no other means of lighting. It was put into 
the college chapel, recitation rooms, and the lower entries of 
the buildings the next year, and was lighted in the chapel for 
the first time September 25,1872. Its use in the recitation rooms 
conduced greatly to the comfort of the afternoon exercise, though 
for a time not without interruption. The pipes in the passage- 
ways were connected with those in the recitation rooms and 
mischievous students soon found that by putting out the hall 
lights and blowing into the burners the lights in the recitation 
rooms could be extinguished. It is difficult to say who were more 
pleased, the ones who did the trick or the students whose recita- 
tion was prematurely ended, but a change in the piping soon 
put an end to the mischief. Two years later, as a measure of 
safety, gas was put into all the rooms in Reed Hall and the 
occupants were obliged to use it instead of oil. In 1875 it was 
used to light the streets, twelve lamp posts being placed about 



1863-1877.] Administration of President Smith. 385 

the village, after one had been tried as an experiment at the 
corner of Main and Wheelock streets, and all were lighted for 
the first time on the night of November 18. They were of little 
service to late wanderers, as the lights were put out at ten o'clock. 

The gas company, which was organized October 9, 1872, with 
a capital of $12,000, was never a financial success.^ It bought 
the plant of Professor Dimond for its actual cost, plus $300 for 
his serivces in construction, in all $8,201.42, and assumed debts 
of $1,276, and prospective outlays of $1,000. It never paid 
any dividends but continued to manufacture gas for the needs 
of the College and the village with scarcely any profit till 1893, 
when, on the introduction of electricity, the company went out 
of business. In the fall of 1893 its plant was leased to a company 
that proposed to make fuel gas by a new and cheaper process, 
but the experiment was unsuccessful, and the old company 
wound up its affairs in 1898, the stockholders receiving $35 a 
share on their stock in liquidation. The house and corner lot 
of Professor Dimond 's original purchase were bought from him 
by the College in December of 1872 for $6,849. The house was 
moved away in the summer of 1874 and now stands at the south- 
east corner of College and South streets. 

The question of heating the buildings, fully as important as 
that of lighting in the matter of safety, was still more difficult 
of solution. No one of the buildings could be heated as a whole 
except by steam. That was expensive and no combination with 
the village was possible. The building most in need of protec- 
tion was Reed, as in it were the libraries, the philosophical ap- 
paratus, and the Nineveh slabs. At one time its basement had 
been used for the college carpenter's shop, but the danger from 
this was recognized and it was removed in 1870 to a small build- 
ing on Cemetery Lane, where it remained for nine years, till 
a new shop was built in the rear of Culver Hall. 

For some years the proposition to put in a steam boiler for 
heating the building was postponed through lack of funds to 
carry it out, but meantime attempts were made to improve the 
heating of the recitation rooms. The only means of heating 
these had long been wood stoves, which in the severe days of 
winter roasted those who sat near them, and left others shiver- 
ing or exposed to drafts from windows opened for ventilation. 
Coal was introduced into Hanover as a fuel about 1869 and 

J It had a board of nine directors: Hiram Hitchcock, president, Asa D. Smith, A. P. Bale b, 
H. E. Parker, E. T. Quimby, J. W. Patterson, E. W. Dimond. C. A. Field and E. D. Carpcnttr. 



386 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI 1 1. 

two years later the first coal stove was tried as an experiment 
in one of the recitation rooms. Its success led to the general 
use of coal stoves for heating the recitation rooms, though hot 
air furnaces were used for a few recitaton rooms and for the 
chapel, which though not always warm yet had a more equable 
temperature than when with stoves it ranged from the tropics 
near the stoves to the poles at the farther end of the room. 
Twice the furnace under the chapel was responsible for setting 
fire to the building. Once, in October, 1881, the fire appeared 
in a partition of an adjoining room where an exercise was in 
progress, and owing to the presence of students it was quickly 
put out. A second time it broke out in some litter in a closet, 
through which the flue passed, just as the students had gathered 
for chapel, and one of them discovering it smothered it with 
his overcoat. 

The care of the recitation rooms was entrusted to students, 
who occupied rooms usually adjoining those for which they 
cared and which were called "guard rooms," but the general 
care of the buildings was for years in the hands of Alanson P. 
Haskell, a man of soft voice and obliging manner, whose fidelity 
matched his long service. Of course he had nothing to do with 
the care of the students' rooms, to which the occupants them- 
selves attended. A beginning of a janitor service for these 
rooms, more as a matter of safety than convenience, was made 
in 1873, when a man was hired to carry out the ashes and waste 
from the rooms, but on the introduction of steam into Reed 
Hall the service in that hall was extended and the rooms were 
put into the care of a Mrs. Badger, whose efficient labor for 
several years gained for her the title of "Queen of Reed Hall." 

At last it was felt that the safety of Reed Hall and its contents 
could no longer be risked with individual fires in the rooms, 
and it was decided in 1875 to introduce steam. Even then the 
College had not the money with which to meet the expense, 
and it was borrowed upon the personal note of President Smith 
and Professor Quimby, though of course the College later assumed 
the payment of the note and its interest. The total cost, a little 
over $2,400, was not paid till 1877. The firm that did the work 
did not properly estimate the amount of heating surface neces- 
sary, and on the coming of cold weather the students bitterly 
complained that they could not keep warm even by sitting on 
the radiators. Fortunately the contractors had guaranteed the 



1863-1877.] Administration of President Smith. 387 

heating of the building, and to meet their contract they were 
obHged to double the radiators in all the rooms. 

During the administration of President Smith, aside from the 
painting of the old buildings, already mentioned, there was 
little change in their appearance or in that of the college yard. 
Several classes planted trees in the yard which later became its 
ornaments, and in 1871 the "suitable fence" of thirty-five years 
before was removed, leaving only the hedge to protect the yard. 
In the process of time this, too, became unsightly, having been 
broken by "rushes," which had surged across it, and by students 
who, forsaking the paths in the search for short cuts, had made 
holes through it in all directions, and it was finally removed 
in 1893, about the time when fences generally disappeared from 
the village. Less noticeable were a new dial face, by which in 
1870 it was attempted to give outward respectability to the 
errant clock, and the signs which were put upon the doors of 
the recitation rooms to distinguish them according to the de- 
partments using them. Previously each class had its own recita- 
tion room in which nearly all its exercises were held, but this 
led to collisions between the classes, and occasionally to injury 
to the rooms themselves, so that to prevent mischief each de- 
partment was assigned rooms of its own, in which the students 
recited without regard to classes, except that the senior class 
retained a room for its exclusive use. 

Outside the college yard, and besides the new college buildings 
the village began to change its appearance. On the west side 
of the Common a break was made in the ancient order. The 
long, two story building with its gable toward the street, which 
for many years had been the office of the college treasurer, and 
where in the evening he could often be seen working at his desk 
by the light of two tallow candles, gave way in 1870 to the pres- 
ent bank building, in which was continued the treasurer's office 
till its removal to the Administration Building in 191 1. The 
house on the corner, which had been the former home of Professor 
Haddock and Professor Brown, joined the long procession of 
migratory houses in Hanover, and being moved to the east 
became the home of Dr. C. P. Frost.^ Close beside it there was 
built, two years later, a chapter house by the Alpha Delta Phi 
Society, in imitation, at a considerable interval, of its friendly 

» This later became the property of the Chi Phi Society. On the vacant comer a large house 
was erected by Mr. A. P. Balch, who at that time was an extensive land owner in this vicinity. 
In 1887 it passed into the hands of Mr. F. W. Davison, who used it parUy as a store, till after 
ita partial destruction by fire, February 8, 1900, when It was bought by the College. 



388 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xiil. 

rival, the Kappa Kappa Kappa Society, which im86o had been 
the first of the fraternities to build and own its own hall. The 
Kappa hall was merely a place for meetings, but this new building 
contained a few rooms for students, being thus the forerunner 
of the many fraternity houses that began to appear thirty years 
later. 

The little house to the west of Professor Brown's house and 
nearly on the site of the Psi Upsilon house also soon disappeared 
and the street was greatly beautified by the erection, partly on 
that site and partly on the adjoining lot, of the present Episcopal 
church, in which the first service was held September 12, 1875. 
Beyond this the road leading to the bridge after passing the brow 
of the hill was bare and forbidding, dusty and without shade, 
till in the early seventies William T. Smith, a son of President 
Smith, afterward Dean of the Medical School but then in poor 
health, took pity on its bare estate and with thought of the future 
planted that row of elms which now forms such a beautiful 
screen on its southern side. 

In the changing life of a college there are many minor events, 
not always indicative of progress, that give the color of the time. 
Some mark the weakening or the end of old customs and others 
the rise of new ones, or they are merely the expression of tempo- 
rary moods of administration or of impulses of undergraduate life. 
A college generation often regards as of immemorial origin a 
custom that sprang up but yesterday, or thinks of itself as the 
first to do something which former students have repeatedly 
done, and a given custom may be accepted as good or bad without 
knowledge of how it came about. 

For many years Saturday afternoon was the only free time of 
the week. The weekly meetings of the secret societies were 
held on Friday evening, but their effect, at least so thought the 
Faculty, was harmful to the exercises of Saturday morning, as 
the students, almost all of whom were members of the societies, 
had not time enough for the preparation of the morning lesson. 
The rhetorical exercise of the senior class before the whole college, 
or public speaking, as it was usually called, was held Friday 
afternoon at two o'clock. In 1866 the Faculty gave up the 
afternoon recitation, but did not remit study hours, expecting 
that Friday afternoon after rhetoricals would be devoted to 
the preparation of the lesson for Saturday morning. It was 
found difficult, however, to enforce the requirement of study 
hours when there was no exercise following, and in 1870 an ar- 



1 863-1 877.] Administration of President Smith. 389 

rangement was made with the societies whereby they transferred 
their meetings to Wednesday evening. In like manner the 
rhetoricals were carried back from Friday to Wednesday at 
two, and the rest of the afternoon was left open, These two half 
holidays continued to be the custom till 1901, when on the adop- 
tion of three hour courses of instruction coming on alternate 
days, exercises were scheduled for the afternoon of Wednesday, 
till three o'clock, and a few years later till four o'clock, thus 
doing away with the half holiday. 

A singular custom had long prevailed in the chapel exercise of 
the students turning their backs to the desk during the prayer. 
During the reading of the Bible they sat, but on the giving out 
of the hymn they rose and faced the presiding officer. In the 
prayer that followed, instead of resuming their seats or continu- 
ing to stand as before, they turned about and, sitting upon the 
rail of the pews behind them, put their feet upon the seats from 
which they had risen. To one who conducted the service and 
followed the scripture injunction to "watch and pray," was 
presented the singular spectacle of an audience turning away from 
the most personal part of the service and assuming a position 
that was anything but devout. The incongruity of the custom 
at length brought a change, and in 187 1 the students were directed 
to sit during the prayer, and this posture, usually accompanied 
with the bowing of the head, has continued to the present. In 
reporting the change the Aegis of that year said, "at prayers 
we have ceased to turn, like devout Mussulmen, toward the 
chapel organ." 

Up to 1872 the students were required to attend on Sunday 
morning and afternoon service in the church in addition to the 
usual morning chapel. In that year Dr. Leeds, the pastor of 
the College church, was given a vacation of several months. 
The supply of the pulpit was a difficult matter. There were 
several clerical members of the Faculty, but while they expressed 
a willingness to take charge of the morning service in due pro- 
portion they did not wish to become responsible for the afternoon. 
After much deliberation it was decided as an experiment to omit 
the afternoon service, but that the free afternoon might not 
offer too great a temptation for absence it was also decided to 
transfer the chapel exercise to the afternoon and thus make the 
requirement of attendance a police regulation to restrict wan- 
dering students. The experiment was successful. The college 
rejoiced in the relief from the second service of church on Sun- 



390 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xill. 

day and President Smith vivified the afternoon chapel service 
by a short talk of a direct and often personal nature. Under 
his successors it was somewhat enlarged and became the "vesper " 
service, which has borne so important a part in the moral life 
of the college. 

About this time a new attempt was made to deal with the 
inveterate abuse of student absences. The introduction of 
written examinations a little later did much to hold attendance 
upon them, though as long as special examinations were allowed 
to delinquents there was a readiness on the part of some to 
prefer them in the hope that they would be easier than the regular 
examinations, but this did not affect the number of occasional 
absences, which became excessive. Excuses for absence had 
previously been given orally on application to any member of 
the Faculty, but in January of 1871 it was voted that excuses 
should be given on printed blanks only by the instructors to 
whom a class was reciting. These were to be obtained in advance 
of the absence and handed to the Clerk of the Faculty within 
two weeks. Excuses not secured in advance could be obtained 
only on the presentation of a satisfactory reason in writing. 
The result of this regulation was an astonishing decline in the 
health of the college, as indicated by the number of written 
applications for excuse on the ground of sickness, but it was 
followed by a speedy recovery when, in conection with the 
report of each student's rank sent to his parents at the end of 
the semester, the Faculty forwarded the applications for excuse 
which each had made on account of sickness. The attention 
which parents were thus able to give to the unexpected infirmi- 
ties of their sons tended greatly to the health of the college. 

But the question of absences was by no means solved and has 
remained to this day a lasting source of difficulty. Many at- 
tempts have been made to meet it, and after temporary success 
each plan has given way to a new one in the hope that a change 
might be more effective. The granting of excuses has been suc- 
cessively conferred upon class officers, a committee, the Presi- 
dent and Dean, or the Dean alone, and in the hope that absences 
might be lessened a certain number of "cuts", or absences with- 
out excuse, has been allowed. Privileges have also been granted, 
in the form of credits for punctual attendance, or of partial 
freedom from college obligations for high scholarship, but the 
trouble remains as one of the chief stumbling blocks in college 
administration. 



1 863-1 877.] Administration of President Smith. 391 

Two questions assumed such prominence in the minds of the 
Trustees that in 1872 special committees were appointed to 
consider them, and one was regarded as so pressing that the 
committee was given authority to act, if in its judgment an emer- 
gency should arise. The emergency did not arise, and there 
is no record that either committee ever reported. The two 
questions were those of co-education and mihtary instruction. 
The President and Messrs. Spalding and Quint were the com- 
mittee to consider the first. It does not appear that there ever 
was any urgency either in the Board or among the alumni for 
the admission of women at Dartmouth, and the appointment of 
the committee was probably the recognition by the Board of 
the discussion of the higher education of women that was general 
at the time. In the west the discussion resulted almost universally 
in the adoption of co-education by the colleges and universities. 
In New England two only of the existing institutions of higher 
learning opened their doors to women at that time, the Univer- 
sity of Vermont in 1871 and Wesleyan one year later. Boston 
University was chartered as a co-educational institution in 1869, 
but the movement turned rather in the direction of separate 
colleges for women. Smith chartered in 1870 and Wellesley 
in 1875, and each receiving its first class in 1875, and meeting 
with immediate success, were the expression of the form of ad- 
vanced education for women which was preferred in New 
England. 

The committee to consider the introduction of military in- 
struction into the college, to which was given discretionary 
power of action, consisted of Messrs. Burleigh, Quint and Haines. 
The occasion for such instruction did not arise from any general 
discussion or movement. Its desirability may have been one of 
the waning influences of the war, but it probably became of 
immediate interest at Dartmouth from the coming of the Agri- 
cultural College. The act of Congress granting land to the 
several states for the establishment of agricultural colleges and 
the supplementary acts of July 28, 1866, and May 4, 1870, 
made provision for the detail of an officer to any college "with 
sufficient capacity to educate at one time not less than one 
hundred and fifty students, to act as a professor of such college," 
and also for the distribution of small arms for the use of the 
students of the colleges to which officers were detailed. An 
officer for such a purpose was detailed for service at Bowdoin 
and the University of Vermont, and was considered here espe- 



392 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xill. 

dally in connection with the Agricultural College, to whichThomas 
W. Kincaid, assistant engineer of the United States Navy, was 
detailed as instructor in civil engineering and shop work from 
1886 to 1888 inclusive. It may have then been the feeling that 
it would be well for the College to secure the services of an extra 
professor in a field that on one side at least would be entirely 
new, that led to the appointment of the committee of the Trustees. 

The martial spirit of the students outran the inaction of the 
Trustees and in the next summer the classes of 1874 and 1875 
organized two military companies known as Company A and 
Company B of the Dartmouth Cadets of the New Hamsphire 
militia, although they were familiarly known among the students 
as the "Dartmouth Belligerents."^ Professor Robert Fletcher 
was commissioned major and drilled the ofificers, who in turn 
drilled the companies. ^ The State furnished uniforms and 
muskets, and in the following fall the companies began practice 
in good earnest. "Three days in the week, " said The Dartmouth,^ 
"at a certain hour the two companies of Dartmouth Cadets may 
be seen parading on the common or in the park. They make 
a fine display in their neat uniforms of blue, and the instruction 
in the tactics progresses rapidly. " * 

A later issue * said: "The Cadets, who have attained wonder- 
ful proficiency in military evolutions, are also obliged to sus- 
pend operations and go into winter quarters." The drill was 
renewed in the spring but with less zest and Commencement 
of course brought an end to Company A. No other class came 
to take its place, and by the fall the interest was completely 
gone. "The boys did not take the trouble to attend drills," 
the captain later wrote, "and the company died a natural death, 
easily and quietly." The arms were returned to the State in 
1875. 

Once the Cadets performed escort duty of a somewhat unusual 
kind. It had been an intermittent custom for the sophomore 

» The organization of the companies seems to have sprung from a suggestion of Professor 
Quimby, who had seen at Concord some useless guns in store, and obtained the promise of 
guns and uniforms from the State, If companies should be organized among the students. (Letter 
of Dr. C. E. Quimby, of 1874.I 

» Tlie commissions dated June 10, 1873. were issued to the following officers: Robert Fletcher, 
major. Company A; H. L. Home, captain; H. N. Allen, first lieutenant, L. C. Montgomery, 
second lieutenant; Company B. W. G. Eaton, captain; H. W. Stevens, first lieutenant; 
L. C. Montgomery, second lieutenant. 

• Issue of October 1873, p. 341. 

♦ Not all were equally alert and one man marched so lazily that Professor Young, who waa 
one day watching the drill, exclaimed, "M. ought to have a bee in the seat of his trousers." 

» November, 1873. P- 378. 



1863-1877] Administration of President Smith. 393 

class to bury mathematics at the conclusion of that study to- 
ward the end of the year, but the exercises were not always 
creditable and when, in the spring of 1874, the Faculty learned 
that the sophomore class was preparing for the usual burial of 
mathematics, it voted to inform the class that it could not allow 
any travesty of a funeral ceremony. The class took the prohi- 
bition good-naturedly and prepared for a ceremony of crema- 
tion. It issued an elaborate programme, and as it was at that 
time reading the Antigone it adapted a line of the play as the 
heading of the programme: "Will you bury it, a thing forbidden 
by the authorities? No, by Zeus, but we will Burn it." On 
the evening selected, the 8th of May, the class formed in pro- 
cession and escorted by the Dartmouth Cadets and the Hanover 
Cornet Band marched to the middle of the Common and there 
performed the ceremony of cremation. Everything was orderly, 
if not quiet, and the class dispersed leaving the Faculty some- 
what in the frame of mind of one contemplating the discovery oif 
a gold brick. 

The rise of the Dartmouth Cadets was but one expression of 
the spirit of athletics which seized the College so strongly in 
the seventies and has maintained itself with increased force 
to the present. It had already been manifest in the formation 
of baseball clubs, which in this decade had hardly begun the 
career of knight-errantry that later became so common, but in 
1872 it suddenly blazed out in a revival of the enthusiasm for 
boating that had been quenched in the freshet of 1857. In 
September of that year the Dartmouth Boat Club was formed 
with the special purpose of sending a crew to compete in the 
intercollegiate races at Springfield the next summer. An active 
campaign was started and more than $2,000 were raised by sub- 
scription among the students and in the village, a shell was 
bought of the Harvard sophomores, a new one was secured from 
Blaikie of Cambridge for $300 and a six-oared cedar shell from 
Elliot of Greenpoint, L. I.^ A boat house was built on the level 
ground just north of the bridge, on a site given for the purpose 
rent free by the owner, Mr. Hiram Hitchcock, and just below 
was the landing float. 

In the next spring a trainer for the crew, John Biglin, a pro- 
fessional oarsman, was hired, and a crew, sent to the regatta 
at Springfield, gained the fourth place in a field of nine. In the 
following year a still more determined effort was made and 

> The Dartmouth, October, 1872, and W. G. Eaton in Dartmouth Athletics, pp. 172 f. 



394 History of Dartmouth College. (Chap. XIII. 

$1,500 were raised among the students. Meantime at a conven- 
tion at Hartford, Conn., in 1874, to which John A. Aiken of 
1874 and W. G. Eaton of 1875 were the Dartmouth delegates, 
there was formed by thirteen colleges the Rowing Association 
of American Colleges, and it was decided to hold the regatta 
at Saratoga. The river at Hanover was not favorable for prac- 
tice, and for a short time the crew was allowed to avail itself of 
the smooth water of Mascoma Lake at Enfield. In the regatta 
the exact position of the crew at the end of the race was in dis- 
pute, the judges assigning it the sixth place, but the report of the 
signal officer, the fourth place. 

At the opening of the next college year the interest in boating 
over-shadowed all else. Class races were projected, and every 
afternoon the river was enlivened by the crews in training. The 
race on the 24th of October was won by the sophomore class 
and the victors were drawn in triumph through the streets of 
the village. But the resources of the students were exhausted 
and the next spring they appealed to the alumni for aid, and 
with much success, though there was some dissatisfaction with 
the method by which the appeal was made. The crew of that 
year went to Webster Lake for its practice, and at the regatta 
at Saratoga again held the fourth place. Internal dissensions 
soon brought about the breaking up of the Rowing Association, 
and Dartmouth was prominent in the attempt to form a New 
England Association which should hold its regatta at New 
London, Conn. 

Affairs were not fully settled when the boating interests at 
Dartmouth received literally a crushing blow, for on January 
26, 1877, the roof of the boat house gave way under the heavy 
weight of snow upon it and ruined both the building and all 
the boats within it. The loss on the house and boats was over 
$1,200, from which the club, already staggering under the troubles 
that beset it in the Association, never recovered. Aside from 
the difficulties of boating on a stream having so swift a current 
as the Connecticut at Hanover, nature seems to have frowned 
upon the boating attempts of the College, for she has thus twice 
completely destroyed the property of the college clubs. Her 
warning has thus far been heeded and organized boating has 
not revived since the second catastrophe. 

As the enthusiasm for boating faded away another interest took 
its place. In December, 1875, an Athletic Association was formed 
and a constitution adopted, providing for two meetings a year 



1863-1877.] Administration of President Smith. 395 

for track athletics, one in the fall and one in the spring, but this 
action merely made formal what had already been done in fact, 
for at the opening of the fall term, under the initiative of Lewis 
Parkhurst of the class of 1878, a movement was begun and carried 
through for a field meeting in October. It was arranged to occur 
in connection with the class boat races on the river, and was on 
such an extensive scale that, with them, it occupied parts of 
four days. A quarter-mile track was laid out on the Common 
and also straight aways for the hurdles and the dashes. Besides 
the races there were twenty-one events, including some that do 
not find a place in later day programmes, and that were intended 
mainly for the amusement of the spectators, a wheel barrow 
race, a sack race, and a three-legged race. 

The exercises, beginning on Wednesday afternoon, October 
13, which was a half holiday, were partly on the Common and 
partly on the river, and continued all of Thursday, which had 
been given as a holiday, though the races were not concluded 
till Friday and Saturday afternoons. The spectacle on the 
Common was enlivened by the music of a band brought from 
Lebanon, and the spectators, who were excluded from the en- 
closure, used the fence as a grand stand. The success of this 
first track meet gave to that branch of athletics a firm place in 
the College. Annual or semi-annual meets have since been held, 
and before many years contests with other colleges in various 
leagues became very common.^ 

The activity of the students was not always so healthfully 
or harmlessly expressed as in athletic contests. In April, 1873, 
in their indignation at what they regarded as an encroachment 
on the rights of the College, the students tore down and burned 
the fence at the south end of the Common. Before that time 
the Common had extended about thirty feet farther to the 
south than at present, and in the wish to straighten the line of 
West and East Wheelock streets the town authorities took a 
strip from the Common into the road, and moved the fence 
so much to the north. The burning of this fence caused a great 
commotion, and the selectmen threatened to open the road 
which had formerly passed diagonally through the Common from 
the hotel to the present chapel corner, and which had never 
been legally discontinued. The college authorities thought it 
wise immediately to replace the fence rather than to allow the 

> A full and exact account of the successive meets and intercollegiate contests up to iSaa 
ia given in Dartmouth Athletics by John H. Bartlett and John P. Gifford of the class of 1894. 



396 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIII. 

town to do it and thus raise a question of title, or to have any 
controversy over the road. Within a few days the fence was 
replaced and President Smith so effectively stated to the stu- 
dents the unwisdom of their act that they raised $60 to repair 
the damage. 

In November of 1875 therie occurred what was commonly 
spoken of as a " riot. " A bookseller of the village, named Parker, 
in winding up his business preparatory to going to another place 
advertised his stock at auction. He was a man of somber 
appearance and without the flexibility that could adapt itself 
to the caprices of young men. When the auction came the 
students attended in force, partly to buy and partly to enjoy 
any fun that might arise. What followed was published in the 
papers as a "riot" of considerable magnitude. The circum- 
stances were given in a later issue of The Dartmouth^ with pal- 
liation and yet with an intended fairness. Describing the 
occurrence it said: 

A number of stlidents attending the book sales of Mr. Parker were rather 
boyish in behavior and, besides making a good deal of noise and crowding 
almost as in a rush, destroyed or injured a few pieces of furniture of no great 
value, and when Mr. Parker left the store a moment fastened the door against 
him. In this there was nothing very criminal, yet there was certainly nothing 
at all praiseworthy. Like other boyish pranks it deserved no very severe 
punishment, yet we cannot see anything out of the way in Mr. Parker's 
feeling of dissatisfaction. He determined to take no notice of the disturb- 
ances until after the completion of his sales when he would send in a bill 
to the students concerned for the loss he should have sustained, and then if 
necessary appeal to the law. The Faculty heard of the proeeedings of the 
first day and endeavored to ascertain the facts from Mr. Parker, but he as 
yet considered it a small matter, little more than a joke, and kept the facts 
to himself. The second day somewhat aggravated the case, and after that, he 
was exposed to a multitude of petty annoyances such as, injury to his sign, 
the moving of his steps, salutations with groans and the like, which, it is 
needless to mention, were never approved by the students in general. These 
would naturally exasperate almost any man, but, when an informal propo- 
sition was laid before him, he declared himself ready to accept it. The formal 
proposal, however, being delayed, and no explanation given him, while the 
insults continued, it is not strange that he inferred that the plan had been 
abandoned and put the matter into the hands of a lawyer. 

It is evident even from this temperate statement, especially 
in view of another statement of The Dartmouth that the students 
"almost literally turned the room inside out," that noise, dis- 
turbance, insult and destruction of property did reach nearly 



1863-1877.] Administration of President Smith. 397 

the proportions of a riot, and that Mr. Parker, who set his loss 
of property at several hundred dollars, was, in default of repara- 
tion, fully justified in appealing to the law. This he did and 
ten days later nine students were arrested and taken to Plymouth 
on the morning train north. Nearly all the college escorted 
them to the station, but though they made no attempt to dis- 
turb the officers they did prevent Mr. Parker from taking the 
train by detaining him in the station. He managed to reach 
Plymouth by another route, and obtained an indictment against 
six of the nine, who were put under $200 bonds to appear at 
the March term of court. The Faculty, meantime, had taken 
up the case and disciplined several of those who were afterward 
indicted, but then recalling their action till the settlement of 
the case, they contented themselves with re-affirming the posi- 
tion that "students were as fully subject to the laws of the land 
as any other dwellers therein," and with separating one and 
degrading another of Ihose who took part in the disturbance 
but had not been arrested. The case came on at the appointed 
tim.e, but being continued from time to time was finally settled 
by the payment of $350, and thje case dismissed. 

In the fall of 1875 there was a very extensive outbreak of 
typhoid fever in the village. A few cases occurred almost 
every fall, but in that year the number far exceeded the ordinary. 
By the last of October there had been nearly sixty cases, most 
of them of a light character, but there were a few deaths and 
among them one of a senior. The student body was aroused 
and the senior class petitioned the Faculty for a recess till Thanks- 
giving, when they believed that the epidemic would have sub- 
sided. The Faculty after careful consideration did not grant the 
petition, but promised that they would "spare no pains to im- 
prove the sanitary condition of the village." Fortunately, owing 
to their efforts or because the epidemic had run its course, 
there was little further trouble, nor has there been since that 
time a similar outbreak of fever, while of late years with improved 
systems of water supply and sewerage, and with a careful inspec- 
tion of all eating houses and lodging places typhoid fever has 
almost disappeared from the village. 

The later years of President Smith's administration were 
marked by several movements that had a great effect upon 
the subsequent working of the College. The first of these was 
the consolidation of the libraries of the old literary societies 
with that of the College and their union under the management 



398 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. Xlll. 

of the Trustees. The college library had continued to be of 
practically little value to the students. It was nominally open 
six hours a week, but its shelves were not open to inspection, 
and the selection of books from an incomplete catalogue and 
with the help of insufficient and untrained assistants was a 
matter of much difficulty. The libraries of the societies, open 
three hours a week, were of much greater service, but they, 
too, suffered from shifting and unskilled management and from 
the waste of duplication. Each society made additions to its 
library without regard to the other, not wishing to be second 
in any special branch of literature. The expenses of separate 
control were so great that, with the lack of stable and consistent 
direction and the loss of dues, the societies ran into debt, and 
in 1869 had asked the Trustees to take charge of the collection 
of dues and the assignment of members, which had become a 
purely alphabetical matter. The result was the payment of 
the debts and an increase in the number of books purchased. 

This opened the way for the consideration of a more business- 
like and efficient administration of all the libraries, and to Mr. 
C. W. Scott of the class of 1874, who during his senior year 
was the assistant of Professor Sanborn in the College library be- 
belongs the credit of devising and carrying through, against 
considerable opposition, a plan for the permanent management 
of all the libraries under the direction of the Trustees. At 
first it was proposed that the society libraries should be put 
under the control of the Faculty and not bound up with the 
college library, but to this arrangement the Trustees objected 
on the ground that they were the sole guardians of all property 
that came under college administration, and that the Faculty 
could not control property within the College except under 
the authority of the Trustees. They accordingly took the place 
in the scheme of arrangement that had been intended for the 
Faculty, and by an agreement between them and the societies, 
completed in 1879 by the Fraters and in 1880 by the Socials, 
all the libraries were brought under their direction in conformity 
to the plan proposed by Mr. Scott. Its details are given in 
another place, but it involved the appointment of a general 
librarian with oversight of all the libraries, and brought increased 
efficiency and less expense. 

The plan went into operation in the fall of 1874 and Mr. 
Scott became the first librarian. The consolidation brought 
under the new management about 20,000 volumes in the library 



1863-1877] Administration of President Smith. 399 

of the College, 2,300 of the Northen Academy, 9,500 of the 
Socials, 9,200 of the Praters and 1,200 from the Philotechnic 
Society, an organization of the Chandler School chartered in 
1854. The ownership of the books was not at the time trans- 
ferred to the Trustees, but the care and custody and respon- 
sibility passed to them under conditions of maintenance which 
resulted in a greatly increased use of the library. The college 
library became equally as accessible as the others; the number 
of assistants was increased; the hours for distribution rose at 
once to twenty-one a week ; the reading room was brought under 
the same control and a continuity of administration from year 
to year secured. 

It was, of course, the aim of President Smith to raise the 
standard of scholarship in the College, and several movements 
tended to this end. It was for this that written examinations 
were introduced, that the passing mark was raised, that diffi- 
culties were put in the way of absence for teaching, that rank 
was restored as a basis of college honors and that the stimulus 
of prizes was again sought. Several prizes were established 
during this period. The Lockwood prizes, already mentioned, 
were followed in 1866 by two Latin prizes, established by the 
class of 1846, for the best work in that subject and these were 
reinforced for several years, beginning in 1873, by the offer of 
two prizes for the best ode in Latin written in one 
of the Horatian meters. A provisional mathematical prize, 
offered in 1866, was made permanent three years later by the 
gift of |i,ooo by General Thayer, and at the same time Senator 
Grimes of the class of 1836 established, by two gifts of $1,000 
each, two prizes for English composition, and one prize, known 
as a "general improvement prize," to be awarded at the end of 
senior year to the student of the graduating class, who, in the 
judgment of the Faculty, had made the most satisfactory progress 
during his college course. Other temporary prizes were offered 
from time to time, the largest being the rhetorical prizes given 
in 1874 by John B. Clarke and open to competition to members 
of the Academic and Scientific Departments. 

The question of admission to college was one that received 
much consideration. The changes in the requirements for 
entrance, all in the nature of increase, have been already men- 
tioned. The only method of admission was by examination 
and the increased requirements brought a great burden upon 
candidates for entrance, as examinations upon all the require- 



400 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIII. 

ments were taken at one time. To relieve this strain, the Faculty 
voted in December of 1874 to allow candidates to divide their 
examinations into two parts, a preliminary and a final, the former 
to be taken one year before admission upon all subjects completed 
at that time, and the latter just before admission upon the 
work of the last year of preparation. For some reason, perhaps 
the introduction of the certificate plan, the announcement of 
this change was not made in the catalogue for several years. 

In the winter of 1876 President Smith brought to the Faculty 
the suggestion of a new plan of admission to college, the sub- 
stitution of a certificate from a fitting school for the examination 
by the college. Long discussions followed and the doubt and 
uncertainty with which the proposal was received gave way 
to a willingness to try it and a reasonable confidence in its success. 
The plan, as adopted April 14, 1876, was somewhat more exact- 
ing than as afterward modified and was as follows: 

Students from such fitting schools as have a reguar and thorough course 
of preparation for College, of at least three years, will be admitted, without 
examination, on the certificate of their respective principals, that they have 
completed the curriculum of the senior year, and have regularly graduated; 
and that, in addition to the proper moral qualifications, they have mastered 
the entire requisites for admission, or their equivalents, as set forth in the 
catalogue. 

The statement that candidates coming on certificate must 
have mastered the entire requisites was regarded as so important 
that for many years, after the first, it was emphasized with 
capitals in the catalogue. At first it was proposed that students 
thus entering should not become members of college for three 
months, but the Trustees objected to the idea of having students 
in College who were not members of College, and, therefore, 
the first three months of the college course were regarded as 
probationary. As this was really the case with all students, 
those who came on certificate were practically on the same 
footing as the rest, and after a few years the statement of pro- 
bation was dropped from the catalogue. 

The plan was put into immediate operation. Announcements 
were sent to the schools and candidates for the next class were 
received by the new method. This early announcement and 
the consequent committal of the College to the schools, at 
least for one year, was all that saved the life of the plan. The 
determination of the conditions and methods of entrance to 
college belonged to the Trustees and not to the Faculty. In 
the earlier days the Trustees legislated upon them, as upon the 



1863-1877.] Administration of President Smith. 401 

courses in college, to the smallest detail, even to prescribing the 
books to be used; afterward, under their general direction and 
without express authorization, the Faculty acted upon many 
things that did not affect the policy of the College, but theTrustees 
held to the principle of complete control, as when a little 
later they refused to allow, except in mathematics, a division 
of classes according to scholarship which the Faculty had made. 
When, however, the President laid before the Faculty and 
asked its action upon so important a matter as a certificate 
system, the Faculty naturally felt that it did not exceed its 
limits in voting favorably upon the President's proposition. 
But when the plan came to the knowledge of the Trustees it 
did not meet their approval, and if it had not been too late 
they would probably have refused to sanction it. As it had 
already gone into operation they could do no less than give it 
provisional assent, which they did at an adjourned meeting in 
August in the following vote: 

The Trustees, having incidentally learned that the conditions of admission 
of students have been materially changed by the omission in certain cases of 
examination by the Dartmouth Faculty, 

"Voted That we do not recognize the authority of the Faculty to make 
so radical a change, the conditions of examination being fixed by the laws 
of the College. 

"2nd. That we authorize the Faculty to carry out the proposed plan 
for the present year and direct the Executive Committee, as soon as the 
working of the new system appears, to determine whether it shall continue 
in force another year." 

As far as appears,' the Executive Committee made no move, 
so that the plan continued in operation without formal approval 
for six years, when, in April, 1882, the Trustees, by a definite 
vote authorized the Faculty to accept "from competent teachers 
certificates of the proper preparation of students for admission 
to college in the studies required by the laws." Though to 
the present it has never commanded the unanimous consent 
of the Faculty it has always been supported by a decided major- 
ity, and for many years the greater part of the students of the 
College entered on certificate. In process of time the plan has 
undergone considerable modification. A complete certificate 
is no longer required. "Minor exceptions" were at first allowed, 

lit is proper to say in reference to this phrase, which in substance occurs somewhat frequently, 
that from 1864 to 1892 the "files of the Trustees" have almost completely disappeared. Not 
one presidential report and scarcely a single report of committees for that period is to be found, 
so that the progress of many movements can only be inferred from the scanty record of the 
proceedings of the Trustees, and this often with more negative than affirmative force. 
26 



402 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI 1 1. 

and these have been extended till they now may include nearly 
one half of the requirements for admission. Greater stress 
is laid upon the approval of schools, certificates being received 
from such schools only as have received the certificate privi- 
lege, and since 1902 this has been given in New England by a 
Certificate Board, composed of nearly all the colleges in that 
section which receive students on certificate. 

The financial burden which President Smith assumed on 
entering upon ofifice did not lessen as the years went by. Ex- 
penses steadily exceeded the income and each year showed a 
deficit, till at the end of his administration the sum of these 
deficits was over $65,000. The College grew; there was an 
increase in the receipts from tuition and also from additional 
endowments, but this was more than neutralized by the 
increase in the salary roll, the care of the new buildings and the 
general expense of new interests and new methods, so that the 
President spoke from experience when in a circular to the alumni, 
appealing for funds, he said, "it costs to prosper." 

To the ordinarily unfavorable course of the finances of the 
College was added a specially disturbing incident in the summer 
of 1875. Daniel Blaisdell, who had been the Treasurer of the 
College for forty years, died on the 24th of August. He had 
been the trusted financial adviser of the village and had enjoyed 
the fullest confidence of the Trustees, whose auditing committee 
the year before had congratulated the Board on his fidelity and 
the accuracy of his accounts, but after his death it was found that 
his accounts were almost hopelessly confused. Mr. Blaisdell 
was the president of the Dartmouth National Bank and the 
Dartmouth Savings Bank as well as the Treasurer of the College, 
and the securities of all these institutions were kept in his personal 
safe, an arrangement which rendered possible an interchange 
of the securities of different funds. 

On the death of Mr, Blaisdell, Frederick Chase of the class 
of i860, who had been in the practice of law in Washington, 
D. C, but had a short time before returned to Hanover, his 
native place, and opened a law office there, was appointed 
acting-treasurer. The results of a long investigation into the 
accounts of the late Treasurer conducted by him and by an 
expert accountant were embodied by him in an exhaustive 
report, presented to the Trustees at a special meeting, February 
8, 1876. 

By this it appeared that though before 1865 there were a 



1863-1877-] Administration of President Smith. 403 

few confused entries there were none that were not explained ^ 
but from February of 1865 the accounts of every year afforded 
more or less entries not in accordeance with what other evidence 
indicated to be facts. It was found that the numbers of bonds 
owned were rarely recorded, and that many large and important 
transactions, involving the receipt and payment of considerable 
sums of money, found no place on the books. Moneys were 
received and paid out, bonds and other securities bought, ex- 
changed and otherwise disposed of, and the only evidence of 
the transactions was in scattered memoranda of correspondence, 
and in some cases it came only through inquiries instituted with. 
brokers through whom the transactions had been conducted. 

It seems to have been the habit of the Treasurer to charge 
from time to time bonds as purchased for various funds in order 
to balance accounts, when the purchase had not in fact been 
made, and if purchases were afterward made they did not always 
correspond with the previous charges. There were charges 
of bonds purchased, which apparently never were purchased 
or came into the possession of the Treasurer, although the books 
showed the existence of means to make the purchases as charged, 
and yet on these fictitious bonds, which were sometimes incor- 
rectly assigned to different funds, interest was credited, as if 
collected when due, so that on them the Treasurer credited the 
College each year more than he actually received, in all to the 
amount of $18,000 to $20,000. 

"It will be readily perceived," said the report, "that a series 
of accounts like these, continuing through a period of ten to 
fifteen years, wherein many complicated transactions took place 
that are not recorded, and can, therefore, be imperfectly under- 
stood, are incapable of being adjusted except approximately."^ 
The approximate discrepancy in the accounts was $47,840.73, 
but this adverse balance in the account was reduced by about 
$20,000 through the subtraction of the amount of interest 
credited but not collected. Acting on this report the Trustees 
appointed a committee "to confer with the heirs of Mr. Blaisdell 
in reference to the claims of the College on his estate," and 
after a report by this committee, they voted "to sell and assign 
to the heirs-at-law of Daniel Blaisdell all the claims and demands 
of Dartmouth College against said estate in consideration of 
twenty thousand dollars to be paid or secured by said assigns 
to said College." The settlement was made the next day in 

iReport of the Acting Treasurer in the college files. 



404 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xill. 

accordance with this vote. No sufficient explanation was ever 
given of the disappearance of the funds, for no known fact in 
the life of the Treasurer gave color to the suggestion that he 
employed them in speculation or converted them to his own use. 

At the same meeting Mr. Chase was elected Treasurer, and 
measures were taken for a closer scrutiny in the future of the 
funds of the College through the appointment of a "Financial 
Committee." This committee was to consist of two members 
holding office for two years, but retiring one each year. It was 
to see to the sufficiency of the Treasurer's bond, set at $25,000, 
and to keep in its hands "a list of all securities and other prop- 
erty belonging to the College, with copies of all reports, schedules 
and statements representing the several funds, in such fullness 
as shall enable them to present a full and accurate account of 
all the property belonging to the College and the mode of its 
investment." It was also required to make an annual audit 
of the books of the Treasurer, and he, besides being required 
to furnish "a complete list of all bonds, notes and other securities 
belonging to the College, with the names, numbers and amount 
of each, also the par and cash valuation of each," was forbidden 
"to hold any similar office by which he should have or retain 
in his hands the funds of any other corporation or monied 
institution," nor could he make or change investments of 
college funds without the consent of the committee. 

To the dark financial cloud that hung over the College there 
was given a silver lining by the announcement about this time 
of three legacies, one entirely unexpected, that seemed to open 
the prospect of relief. Two of them were not immediately avail- 
able, but no one anticipated the long delay that actually occurred 
in their realization. The first was a bequest by Judge Richard 
Fletcher of Boston, who died June i, 1869, which was estimated 
at $100,000, but of which only $30,000 were received under 
President Smith, and of this sum $10,000 were reserved for a 
biennial prize to be offered by the Trustees for an essay tending 
"to counteract the worldly influences that draw professed Chris- 
tians into fatal conformity to the world." In case no essay 
was thought worthy of the prize the amount of it was to be given 
to some charitable institution in New Hampshire. "Essays 
have been accepted and published from time to time," wrote 
President Tucker at a later period, "in accordance with the 
terms of the will, but of late years so many manuscripts have 
been rejected by the judges, that the Trustees are about to 



1863-1877.] Administration of President Smith. 405 

ask leave of the Courts to substitute some other form of carrying 
out the devout intention of Judge Fletcher which shall insure 
the result which he had in mind. "^ The amount thus far received 
under this bequest falls a little short of $100,000 but $15,000 
or $20,000 more are expected. 

The second bequest was that of another former Trustee, 
Judge Joel Parker of Cambridge, who died August 17, 1875, 
leaving to the College property estimated at $140,000. Part 
was for the benefit of the library, but the greater part for the 
establishment of a law school in the College. As much of the 
property was in land, and as other interests than those of the 
College were involved, the settlement of the estate progressed 
slowly, and after a time, in 1883, an arrangement was made 
with the heirs, the fund being found insufficient for a law school, 
for the founding in the College of a professorship of law and 
political science. The amount realized from the estate produced 
a fund of $50,000 for the professorship, and of $37,500 for the 
library. 

The third and unexpected bequest was that of Tappan Went- 
worth, a lawyer of Lowell, Mass., who died June 12, 1875. 
Mr. Wentworth was not a graduate of the College, but was 
perhaps interested in it because he was of the same stock as 
Governor John Wentworth, who gave the charter to the College. 
At one time he visited Hanover and made his investigation of 
the College without the knowledge of any one connected with 
it, and on returning to his home remarked to a friend, "I have 
been to Dartmouth and I think a little more money will do it 
no harm. " At his death he gave to the College his whole estate 
subject to some annuities and small bequests, and with the con- 
dition that it should be allowed to accumulate till it reached 
$500,000. 

The announcement of this bequest gave nev/ heart and hope 
to the college authorities, but they were to sufifer great disap- 
pointment in its realization. The inventory of the estate was 
$276,972.19, of which $194,750 were in houses and lands in 
Lowell, and $82,222.19 in personal property, including 910 
shares of the stock of the National Rubber Company valued at 
$75,000. The care of the property was put into the hands of 
three executors, D. S. Richarsdon of Lowell, A. O. Bowen of 
Bristol, R. L, and President Smith, who soon desired to include 

'Resources and Expenditures of Dartmouth College, Dartmouth Bi-Monthly, October, 1907- 
August, 1908. 



4o6 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIII. 

the Trustees in the management of the real estate, and Messrs. 
Spalding and Davis were associated with them in that task. 
Two years later the two trustees assumed the entire responsi- 
bility for the real estate and still later of all the property, and this 
was continued with marked ability till the death of Dr. Spalding 
and the resignation of Dr. Davis in 1891. 

An examination of Mr. Wentworth's assets and liabilities 
was, however, attended with some unwelcome revelations. 
The real estate, located mostly in the central portion of the city, 
was subject to mortgages, to the amount of $41,000, bearing 
interest at the rate of 7 percent. Mr. Wentworth had antici- 
pated the dividends of the current year from his stock in the 
Rubber company, and claims called for payment in excess of 
all dues in his favor. The lots on Merrimack street had great 
prospective value, but the buildings, with a single exception, 
were old; two thirds of them were ten-footers and all in need 
of extensive repairs. The rents were low, the total receipts 
from this source not exceeding $10,000 a year. 

In this state of affairs, with claims that had to be met within 
twelve months quite in excess of the annual income, the com- 
mittee was much perplexed, but by help from Mrs. Wentworth, 
who cordially supported her husband's wishes, by the extension 
of the notes through temporary loans, and by the sale of two 
out-lying lots of land, the committee was able to meet the cur- 
rent claims and to pay the $18,000 of legacies due within four 
years. It took up several of the notes at 7 per cent., and trans- 
ferred them to the College at 6 per cent., which was advantageous 
Iboth for the College and the estate. The trustees desired to 
sell the rubber stock, but Mr. Bowen, the executor, did not 
consent to transfer it to them till after the company ceased to 
pay dividends. There was no market for it and at last the 
company becoming bankrupt, the College realized from it only 
$11,295. In 1889 the committee reported that all legacies and 
claims had been paid and that the College owned all the real 
estate, except one lot, free of all encumbrance beyond a 
mortgage for $28,000 held by the College, the net value of the 
estate being $259,000, with an excess of income of about $4,000. 
The payment of this mortgage and the appreciation of the 
property, which was appraised in 1892 by outside parties at 
$501432, gave the use of the income to the College from July 
14, 1896.1 

iReport of the Committee August 27, 1889, and "A Manual for the Use of the Trustees and 
Other Officers of Dartmouth College," printed by the Trustees in 191 1. 



1863-1877] Administration of President Smith. 407 

In October, 1876, President Smith issued a leaflet entitled 
"Donations to Dartmouth College Within the Last Thirteen 
Years," the period of his administration, by which he showed 
that for all Departments there had been given to the College 
$960,590, estimating the gifts at their current value. Including 
the Wentworth bequest at $250,000 the amount given for the 
Academic Department was $519,815, but only $119,050 were 
then available for meeting current expenses. The actual or 
estimated value of gifts to the other Departments was $24,000 
for the Scientific, $205,900 for the Agricultural, $70,000 for the 
Thayer, $17,000 for the Medical, and $120,000 for the Law, 
and $3,875 for Moor's Charity School. The amount of resid- 
uary and other legacies, as they would be when available, was 
$740,000. 

Notwithstanding these gifts, some of actual but more of 
prospective value, the College was in serious financial difficulties. 
In that very year its deficit was nearly $11,000, and at a special 
meeting of the Trustees in August the President introduced 
the question of retrenchment and recommended: " 1st, All 
necessary measures to keep expenses within the income. 2nd, 
A temporary subscription to supply deficiencies. 3rd, In case 
of failure of the subscription by the first of April a deduction 
not exceeding ten per cent, from all salaries, except in cases 
of special contract." In carrying out the first recommendation 
the Trustees, following the suggestions of the Faculty, voted 
to retrench by dispensing with one tutor, by reducing expenses 
for the gymnasium, gas, printing, fuel, labor, etc., by dispensing 
with the services of Dr. Labaree, by reducing repairs to a min- 
imum, by encouraging students to room in the buildings, and 
after one year to assess the rent of the unoccupied rooms on 
those rooming outside. These methods of retrenchment were 
put into operation the next fall and helped materially to reduce 
the deficit of the year, but the subscription was not attempted 
or was not successful and there was no reduction of salaries. 

Under these discouraging financial conditions the new year 
opened, and to add to the discouragements there was disap- 
pointment also in the size of the entering class, which in the 
Academic Department was smaller by twenty, and in the Chand- 
ler by seven than the year before, a total of seventy-nine against 
one hundred and six. It was at this time, perhaps for his own 
cheer as well as for that of the friends of the College, that Presi- 
dent Smith sent out the list of donations already mentioned. 



4o8 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xill. 

but the strain was telling upon him. He bore up under it with 
his usual courage, though conscious of a lessened vitality, till 
about the middle of November, when he was prostrated by a 
violent cold, accompanied by almost complete physical exhaus- 
tion. About this time he was greatly affected, and his weakness 
was increased, by a letter which he received from a prominent 
alumnus of the College, containing a bitter and violent attack 
upon him and his administration. To criticisms of errors of 
judgment, such as might be brought against any administration, 
were added personal attacks of a peculiarly trying nature. In 
his enfeebled state these combined to make a serious menace to 
his health. He did not rally from his collapse and his physician 
ordered him to give up work altogether. 

A meeting of the Trustees had been called for the 22d of 
December at Concord. He was unable to attend, but sent in- 
stead his resignation to take effect at the end of the month. 
The Trustees were dismayed, and, declining to accept the resigna- 
tion, appointed a committee of four, Messrs. Quint, Fairbanks, 
Nesmith and Spalding, to wait upon the President and urge him 
to withdraw it. They came to Hanover by appointment on 
the 3d of January, but Dr. Smith was too ill to see them. They 
sent him a communication offering him an indefinite leave of 
absence and relief from all work with continuance of salary, 
if he would only remain in office. After a night's consideration 
he declined their offer, but, though persisting in his resignation, 
yet in the hope of completing some matters for which his signa- 
ture was desirable, he consented to remain in office until February. 
On the report of the committee the Trustees accepted his resigna- 
tion, but fixed the date of his retirement as March i. He never 
regained his health, and though with the coming of summer 
he was able to drive out, he died in the middle of the following 
summer, August 16, 1877.^ 

President Smith was fortunate in the comparatively stable 
body of his advisers. It is true that at his retirement there were 
only three members of the Board of Trust who were in office 

lAsa Dodge Smith was born in Amherst, N. H., September 21, 1804, the son of Dr. Rogers 
and Sally Dodge Smith, but in his infancy his family removed to Weston, Vt. After entering 
upon the printer's trade at Windsor he determined to secure an education, and having fitted 
at Kimball Union Academy at Meriden, N. H., he entered Dartmouth in 1826 and was grad- 
uated in 1830. After a year's teaching at Limerick, Me., he studied for the ministry at Andover 
Theological Seminary, and immediately on graduation was called to the Brainerd Presby- 
terian Church, just built on Rivington Street, New York City. There and in its new home on 
Second Avenue and Fourteenth Street, he remained as its successful pastor for twenty-nine 
years, till he was called to the presidency of Dartmouth. He married, November 9, 1836, 
Miss Sarah Ann Adams of North Andover, Mass. 



1863-1877] Administration of President Smith. 409 

when he came, but the changes had occurred relatively within 
a very short time, so that especially in the latter half of his 
administration he could rely upon those who by long association 
knew both one another and the College. The stability of the 
Faculty after the first was even more marked. Of the nine 
permanent members of the Academic Faculty at his retirement, 
three had been with him from the beginning, two almost from 
the beginning, another for seven years and the remaining three 
had been taken into the Faculty as tutors and advanced to pro- 
fessorships. The leading member of the Chandler Faculty was 
also connected with the College for twelve years. 

The administration of President Smith covered a period of 
a little more than thirteen years, and was both honorable and 
successful. Under it the College prospered. Two new depart- 
ments were organized, the Agricultural College and the Thayer 
School, and the older ones shared in the common advance. The 
number of students in the Academic Department, though some- 
what fluctuating, rose from the low point of 1864 till for two 
years it exceeded that of any one of the preceding thirteen years. 
In the Chandler Department the number nearly doubled; the 
number in the Medical School also greatly increased, so that in- 
cluding the students of the two newly organized departments the 
total registration of the College reached in one year 479, the 
largest number in its history up to that time. The list of 
the general Faculty rose from seventeen to twenty-nine, partly 
through small additions to the older faculties and partly through 
the addition of the faculties of the two new departments. 

An outward and lasting sign of growth appeared in the new 
buildings, Bissell, Culver and Conant Halls and the renovated 
buildings of the Chandler and Medical Schools. The equipment 
of the Observatory was almost wholly renewed, as well as en- 
larged, the apparatus of the Appleton physical laboratory made 
doubly effective, and there were many minor improvements that 
made the buildings more convenient and serviceable. 

During this period the College regained to a large degree the 
sympathy of the clergy of the State, which had been alienated 
by the pro-slavery views of President Lord. Not only was 
President Smith in entire accord with the prevailing sentiment 
on the subject of salvery, but he used every effort to show that 
in the College there was nothing at variance with it. With 
great persistence and with great tact, through personal acquaint- 
ance and through personal and circular letters, he attempted 



410 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIII. 

to interest the ministers of the State in the moral welfare of the 
College, and by attendance at the meetings of the various 
ministerial associations and by addresses before them and on 
other occasions, to reinstate the College in the active sympathy 
of its natural constituency. 

President Smith was well qualified for his position. His 
mind was alert and constructive, his temper sympathetic, and 
a native ease in meeting people had been trained and perfected 
in a long city pastorate. He was fond of young men and entered 
heartily into their feelings, so that when he was President, Pro- 
fessor Noyes, a classmate of his in college, once said to him: 
"Mr. President, I think that you are more of a boy now than 
when you were in college." His sympathy for those who were 
working their way through college was unbounded and more 
than once in the early days of his presidency, when he was 
directing his energies particularly to raising funds for scholar- 
ships, he pledged his salary with the treasurer to its full amount 
for help to needy students, trusting that he would make himself 
whole by what he might beg from others. 

He never lost sight of what he regarded as the highest interest 
of the students, their moral and spiritual welfare, and he made 
it his practice not to allow a student to leave college without 
having a talk with him on the subject of personal religion. He 
took pleasure in personal contact with the students, no one of 
whom ever felt himself unwelcome when he wished for counsel 
or advice, and though the President's fluency and exuberance of 
expression sometimes seemed to go beyond the need of the occa- 
sion, no one doubted the genuine kindness that lay behind his 
words. It was his custom to meet the incoming classes with 
an address of advice and suggestion, and he never failed to impress 
upon them his desire to stand to them, in his common phrase, 
in loco -parentis. His theory of college government, like that of 
his predecessors, was paternal, but though he was always ready 
to listen to excuses and to make allowances he was firm in dis- 
cipline and tempered his mercy with justice. 

Dr. Smith had the gift of public speech; he was always at his 
ease, never thrown off his balance, the master of phrase, and 
never happier than on occasions when something must be said 
and yet it seemed as if there was nothing that could be said. By 
tact and grace of expression he frequently redeemed an appar- 
ently impossible situation and even turned it into an opportunity. 
In this he was aided bj' an unusual facility in the use of language, 



1863-1877.] Administration of President Smith. 411 

resting upon a vocabulary of extraordinary range, and, as was 
said of another, by "an inexhaustible copiousness of grandilo- 
quent phrase." He used long words by preference and his 
vernacular, a word of which he was fond, was largely made 
up of Latin derivatives. His style was consequently of the 
Johnsonian order, as was illustrated by two expressions in his 
baccalaureates, in which he described the universe as a "vast 
congeries of reciprocities," and a well reasoned argument as a 
"series of well concatenated ratiocination."^ 

Sounding phrase was not used, however, as a mask for weak- 
ness of thought. Dr. Smith's sermons, addresses and familiar 
talks, though sometimes drawing attention and even causing 
a smile by expressions like those just given, were thoughtful, 
earnest and effective. Hearers were impresssed by his real depth 
of feeling, clear understanding, power of analysis and ability 
of statement and illustration. Few among the students failed 
to be impressed by his conduct of the chapel services either 
in morning prayers or in the vesper service of Sunday evening, 
or to recognize the strength of his convictions and to be affected 
by the force with which they were presented. 

In his relations with the Trustees and the Faculty President 
Smith was thoughtful and considerate. His leadership was real 
but not assertive, commending itself by the wisdom of its measures 
and the graciousness of its methods. He was firm when firmness 
was necessary, but preferred to carry his plans by persuasion 
rather than by authority, and to hide the strength of his hand 
beneath a silken glove. Resourceful and diplomatic, he was 
skillful in harmonizing opposing interests and rarely aroused 
antagonism in bringing his plans to effect. 

His scheme for the development of the College was compre- 
hensive. The organization of the Thayer School, and the con- 
nection with the Agricultural College, temporary though it was, 
were indicative of the university idea which he cherished. At 
the time it was, doubtless, better for the latter institution to 
be established in Hanover than elsewhere; it profited by its 
association with Dartmouth, and Dartmouth gained by being 
free at that time from the diversion of support to another college. 
That the connection was not permanent does not reflect upon 
the wisdom of the early arrangement. Later conditions could 

iHis preference for Latin words was shown in a remark which he made in a faculty meeting. 
In reporting a reprimand, which he had been asked to give to a student, he said, "He was 
saucy to me; in plain Saxon, he was impudent." The laugh of the Faculty recalled the correct 
origin of the word. 



412 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XI II. 

not be effective at the start. Dr. Smith desired to concentrate 
all the higher educational interests of the State at Hanover, 
and thus give them the advantage of mutual support. The 
lines of expansion on which he worked had a definite aim, whose 
larger realization at that time was prevented mainly by the 
financial stress. That the alumni of the College did not then, 
as later, rally to its aid was due to their wide dispersion, which 
took them out of touch with its immediate condition, and to 
their association with the interests of the newer localities with 
which many had cast in their lot. 

In person President Smith was tall and well proportioned, a 
noticeable figure in any place. Always erect, he had the habit 
when speaking, as if to emphasize a serious or a humorous remark, 
of raising himself to his full height and giving almost oracular 
utterance to his thought. He had a rounded face, which, with 
a ruddy hue and always smooth shaven, was not characterized 
by marked features. A slightly receding chin, a small mouth, 
a short and rather thick nose, pleasant eyes that smiled behind 
their barriers of gold-bowed spectacles, and a high forehead 
combined to give the impression of a kindly nature. His man- 
ner, while not wholly forgetful of himself, was yet dignified and 
cordial. In dress he recalled the former time, for he always 
appeared in public in a dress coat, which with his erect carriage 
made him a conspicuous figure. 




^O^^c^'^ 



CHAPTER XIV. 

I 877-1 892. 

THE COLLEGE UNDER PRESIDENT BARTLETT. 

WE HAVE now come to times whose events are covered 
by the memory of many still living, and as some of 
these events involved controversy, which perhaps cannot yet 
be seen in clear perspective, it will be better to let their extended 
discussion await the determination of later times, and to present 
only a brief summary of their progress. 

On the resignation of President Smith the Trustees, after 
the informal canvassing of many names, chose, on January 
30, the Rev. Samuel Colcord Bartlett, D.D., as his successor. 
Dr. Bartlett, a graduate of the College in the class of 1836, 
had been a tutor in the College for one year in 1 838-1 839, and 
during successive pastorates in the east and the west and pro- 
fessorships first in Western Reserve College and then in Chicago 
Theological Seminary, where he was at the time of his election 
to the presidency, had kept up a warm interest in his alma 
mater and had been an earnest advocate of alumni representation. 
After carefully considering the invitation and coming to Hanover 
to inspect the College, he accepted the position in March, but 
was unable to enter upon its duties till the middle of May. 

His inauguration, which came on Wednesday of Commence- 
ment week, June 27, 1877, was favored with a beautiful day 
and commanded a large audience. The exercises, which were 
in the church, were presided over by Dr. Peaslee of the Board, 
a classmate of the President-elect, and, after music by the 
Boston Cadet band, were opened by a prayer by Rev. Dr. N. 
Bouton. An address and delivery of the keys and the charter 
of the College by Governor B. F. Prescott were followed by an 
acceptance of the trust by the President, who also responded 
to an address of welcome on behalf of the students, instructors 
and alumni of the College by Professor E. D. Sanborn. An 
interlude of music was followed by the inaugural address on 
"The Chief Elements of Manly Culture," and the exercises 
closed with prayer and benediction by the President. 

The new administration met a severe loss at the very outset 
in the resignation of Professor Young. He had been invited to 

413 



414 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIV. 

the chair of astronomy at Princeton, and in February indicated 
to the Dartmouth Trustees his intention to accept the invitation, 
though he said that he would remain if the Trustees would make 
him professor of astronomy, without duties in the department 
of physics, would appropriate $5,000 for the further equipment 
of the Observatory and endow his chair in a sum sulificient to 
ensure a salary not less than his existing one. He was at once 
made professor of astronomy; Dr. Spalding assured the $5,000 
for equipment, and the Trustees, while not being able to raise 
the necessary endowment in so short a time, promised that 
they would use their best endeavors to secure it, and that the 
salary should not be reduced. In fact the vote of the previous 
year, looking toward a possible reduction in the salaries of the 
Faculty in general was recalled. But Professor Young feeling 
that his condition had not been met, since the endowment was 
not immediately secured, put in his final resignation on March 
22d, the same day on which the acceptance of Dr. Bartlett was 
received, and at the close of the year went to Princeton. 

Dr. Bartlett accepted the presidency with the understanding 
that the subscription, which had been proposed, should go on, 
though not under his direction, and that he was to be free to 
devote himself to "the literary interests and internal affairs of 
the College." The financial condition of the College was, how- 
ever, too serious to be neglected. Its literary interests were 
dependent upon a closer relation between income and expenses, 
and it soon became evident to the new President that, whether 
he wished it or not, his first effort must be to relieve the college 
treasury. He entered upon the work with characteristic energy 
and during all his presidency devoted himself unceasingly to the 
increase of the endowment and an economy of administration, 
and with such success that in four years the annual deficit be- 
came a slight surplus and in the fifteen years of his presidency 
this pleasing result was five times repeated. 

The subscription was abandoned without results, but an 
attempt was made to secure the same end by working through 
a committee of alumni, which was appointed in 1878 "to confer 
with the Trustees on the general interests of the College" and 
to report. This committee of seven reported upon the finances 
of the College and recommended an appeal for subscriptions, 
payable at once or in five annual instalments. Their report was 
supplemented by that of another committee of the alumni, con- 
sisting of three members and appointed the next year, which in 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 415 

a printed report considered the relations of the students and the 
Faculty, and of the several departments and also the needs of 
the College, and urged co-operation in the plans of the President 
for the endowment by subscription of two professorships, to be 
called the "New Hampshire" and the "Daniel Webster" pro- 
fessorships. The result of these movements was donations of 
only a few thousand dollars. 

The first substantial gift that brought cheer in the darkness 
was a gift unexpectedly made in June, 1878, by Mr. Henry 
Winkley of Philadelphia, who sent his check for $25,000 to be 
used as the Trustees thought best, and to this sum he added 
$10,000 in November following, the whole amount being then 
devoted to the endowment of the chair of the "Anglo Saxon 
and English Language and Literature." Mr. Winkley had not 
received a college education, but entering business at an early 
age had become a successful crockery merchant in Philadel- 
phia. His birth in New Hampshire may have turned his atten- 
tion to the College, as he had not been approached on its behalf, 
and in fact it was his avowed plan not to give to causes for 
which he was solicited, but to investigate his own objects of 
benevolence.^ His benefactions did not end with his first gifts, 
for in March, 1880, he gave $5,000 toward the Daniel Webster 
professorship, and again in May he added $20,000 for a fund 
for the general purposes of the College, and his last benefaction 
was a bequest in his will of an additional $20,000, which were 
received in 1890, and devoted to the completion of the endow- 
ment of the "New Hampshire" professorship. 

The encouragement coming from Mr. Winkley 's first gifts 
fortunately did not pass away, for they were followed in 1880 
by the endowment of two other chairs. In April of that year 
Mr. B. P. Cheney of Boston, Mass., also a native of New Hamp- 
shire but not a graduate of the College, put into the hands of 
Judge Nesmith, a trustee, and Mr. John P. Healy, a graduate 
of the College, the sum of $50,000, requesting them after con- 
sultation with the Trustees to apply it for the use of the College 
in such manner as should "do the most good and produce the 
best results. " In accordance with their suggestions the Trustees 
appropriated $40,000 to the endowment of the chair of mathe- 
matics, $5,000 toward the endowment of the Daniel Webster 
professorship and $5,000 to the increase of the presidential fund. 

In October of the same year the chair of intellectual and moral 

' Letter of E. A. Rollins to President Bartlett, December IS, 1882. 



4l6 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIV. 

philosophy was endowed by the gift of $35,000 by Mrs. Valeria 
G. Stone, of Maiden, Mass. Her husband, Mr. Daniel P. 
Stone, had not been reputed during his life as a man of wealth, 
but at his death the probate of his will showed that he had 
possessed a large fortune. A large part of this he desired his 
executors to distribute, in consultation with Mrs. Stone, among 
various literary institutions. President Bartlett appealed to 
Mrs. Stone, and aided by Dr. Leeds, who was a warm friend of 
Dr. Wilcox, one of the executors, he secured $35,000. During 
this time Dr. Bartlett was soliciting subscriptions for the Daniel 
Webster professorship, which was completed to $35,000 by 
1883. Mr. Winkley, Mr. Cheney and Dr. Spalding, who always 
aided the College in a pinch, each gave $5,000, the classes of 
1856 and i860 and fifteen individuals each gave $1,000, and 
the remainder came from small subscriptions. The realization, 
already mentioned, of $50,000 from the legacy of Judge Parker 
in 1883, the gift of $5,000 by the State in 1883 and 1884, and in 
1885 the bequest of $50,000 for the general purposes of the 
College by Mr. Julius Hallgarten, a banker of New York City, 
still further helped to relieve the financial pressure. 

Along with the increase in the endowment came funds for 
two much-needed buildings, a chapel and a library. The old 
chapel in Dartmouth Hall had long before ceased to be suited 
for chapel services. It was the one auditorium of the College 
and was used indiscriminately for all purposes. The rhetorical 
exercises were held there on Wednesday afternoons and these 
were often followed by turbulent collisions between the classes; 
college and class meetings were frequently held here, and it was 
also the place for political gatherings, for lectures and even 
for the exhibitions of jugglers. It was not seldom the scene 
of unsavory practical jokes. A freshman or sophomore class 
coming to morning chapel sometimes found its seats smeared 
with grease or oil or molasses; an animal was occasionally found 
in the room, as once when the students came to the rhetorical 
exercise they found a donkey securely tethered on the stage; 
or, worst of all, a body was once stolen from the dissecting room 
and placed on the floor under the seats of the freshmen. The 
seats were uncomfortable and covered with inscriptions and 
the names of those who sought the immortality of the jack- 
knife, the room was unattractive and there was nothing about 
it that tended to give dignity or sacredness to the morning 
chapel service. Evidently these could be secured only in a 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 417 

new building, in which they would not be belittled or destroyed 
by unworthy associations. 

The need of a new library building was not less urgent than 
that of a chapel. The space in Reed Hall was insufficient for 
the increased accommodations demanded by the consolidation 
of the libraries, but more than all a fireproof building was needed 
as a protection against the danger from fire to which the library 
was constantly exposed in its existing situation, and even if 
a fireproof building could not be secured it was very desirable 
to remove the library to a place where it would be free from the 
risks attaching to a dormitory. So urgent was the need of re- 
moval that in 1877 a movement was started to convert the 
gymnasium into a library, and Mr. Bissell had given his consent, 
if other provision could be made for the gymnasium, but it 
never took effect. 

Fortunately provision for the two buildings came at about the 
same time. When, in the spring of 1883, Mr. Edward A. Rollins 
of Philadelphia, a graduate of the College in the class of 1851, 
who had already shown in lesser ways his interest in the College, 
was approached by President Bartlett with the suggestion that 
he give to the College a new chapel or a new library, he replied 
that he was already thinking of the need of the College of a 
chapel, and on the 27th of June he wrote offering to give 
$30,000 for a chapel on condition that $400 a year be paid to 
Professor Sanborn during his lifetime, and that $60,000 be raised 
for a new library building before January i, 1884. If but $50,000 
were secured for a library then his gift for a chapel would be 
but $25,000. 

Mr. Rollins' gift was gladly accepted and efforts were at once 
made to fulfill the condition. It was evident that the fund for 
a library could not be secured by a general subscription, and 
an attempt, therefore, was made to reach a few wealthy alumni, 
who might individually or together give the necessary sum, and 
to allow time for such a movement, Mr. Rollins extended the 
date of meeting his condition to March i, 1884. The attempt 
was unsuccessful, but fortunately an unexpected gift assured 
success. In January of 1883 George F. Wilson, a business man 
of Providence, R. I., died, leaving a bequest of $50,000 to the 
College. No one at the College had known of the bequest, 
but Mr. Wilson had been a client of Messrs. Blodgett and 
Boardman of Boston, who were graduates and ardent friends 
of the College, and he had doubtless been influenced by them 



41 8 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIV. 

in making his will, and also, perhaps, by the fact that New 
Hampshire was his native State. He designed the bequest for 
the endowment of a professorship or for the erection of a build- 
ing as Mr. Boardman, his executor, should determine. Its oppor- 
tuneness for a library building was too obvious to be neglected, 
and as the executor gave his consent the Trustees devoted it 
to that purpose. 

Mr. Rollins accepted this action as the fulfillment of his 
condition, and competitive plans for both buildings were at 
once invited. That of Mr. John Lyman Faxon of Boston was 
accepted for the chapel and that of Mr. Samuel J. T. Thayer 
of Boston for the library, and Messrs. Bartlett, Quint, Prescott, 
Stanley and Fairbanks were appointed a building committee 
of the Trustees. It was decided without hesitation to build 
the library' of red brick with red sandstone trimmings, but the 
material for the chapel was for some time in doubt. Mr. Rollins 
preferred granite, but there was a suggestion of white marble 
which Governor Proctor of Vermont, a classmate of Mr. Rollins, 
offered to give from his quarries at Rutland. It was, however, 
even then fully as expensive as granite, which could be obtained 
close at hand, and Mr. Faxon objected to its use on the ground 
that a marble building would not harmonize with its surround- 
ings. The choice was finally made of pink granite from Lebanon, 
which it was decided to lay in irregular courses with red sand- 
stone trimmings. Proposals were asked for the construction of 
the two buildings together and separately, and after they were 
received the contract for the library was awarded to Currier, 
Peabody and Russell of Lawrence, Mass., and that for the chapel 
to Mead, Mason and Company of Boston, Mass. 

Work upon both buildings was begun in June of 1884 and on 
the afternoon of Wednesday, the 25th of June, the corner stones 
were laid with appropriate ceremonies, in which Mr. Rollins, 
and Mr. Boardman as Mr. Wilson's executor, took part. The 
purpose and spirit of Mr. Rollins's gift were well illustrated 
in his address. "It is a chapel," he said, "of which we lay the 
corner stone today, because we believe that the chapel is the 
corner stone of the State. Dartmouth College with no chapel 
and no religious worship or instruction, would mean ultimately 
the cities and villages of our State without churches, and our 
civilization a delusion and a mockery." 

Work upon the buildings was carried steadily on and in a 
year they were ready for occupancy. The expense of each was 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 419 

greater than had been planned, the cost of Wilson Hall being 
$66,622.32 and that of Rollins Chapel $32,005.52. The amount 
required for the library building above the $50,000 of Mr. Wil- 
son's bequest was appropriated from the legacy of Mr. Hall- 
garten. Against the urgings of the architect for wider limits 
Mr. Rollins had steadily held his gift at $30,000, and insisted 
that the building should cost no more, and that there should 
be no excess for others to pay, but as the building neared com- 
pletion a series of memorial windows for the presidents of the 
College was secured, and these seemed to call for some more 
extensive interior decoration.^ 

That the chapel might be perfect in harmonious detail Mr. 
Rollins enlarged his gift to the amount above stated, and a 
few days before Commencement forwarded the final payment, 
"to cover the full cost of the chapel completed and ready for 
use. " The building, Romanesque in general style with entrances 
under heavy round arches, was in the form of a Roman cross 
and had a seating capacity of about six hundred. Its equipment 
for service was completed two years later by the gift of an organ 
by Mr. H. C. Bullard of the class of 1884, who has twice since 
that time supplemented his original gift by donations for the 
enlargement of the organ, made desirable by the enlargement 
of the chapel. 

The dedication of the chapel took place during Commence- 
ment week, on the morning of Wednesday, June 24. The 
company gathered at the old chapel in Dartmouth Hall and 
after singing the doxology, "Praise God from whom all blessings 
flow," moved to the new chapel, and after an anthem and the 
reading of the scriptures, partly from the revised version, which 
had appeared within the month, and partly from the old version, 
of which a large copy had been given by the New Hampshire 

'The windows for the first five presidents were in the apse and for the others in the transepts. 
Those to the two Wheelocks were given by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Billings of the Wheelock 
kin, the one in the center for Eleazar Wheelock representing John the Baptist, and the one 
at the side, for John Wheelock, representing Peter. Both were made in Edinburgh by John 
Ballantine and Son. The original window to Eleazar Wheelock was taken out in 1892 and 
placed by President Bartlett in the Christian Association building, and was replaced by the one 
now in the chapel. The delicate window at the right of the center in memory of President 
Brown, representing John the Apostle, was given by Hon. Francis Brown Stockbridge of Kal- 
amazoo, Mich., and came from the Royal Bavarian Stained Glass Works In Munich. The 
windows at the extreme right and left representing St. Paul and St. Andrew, in honor of Presi- 
dents Tyler and Dana, were made in Boston and were the gifts of Edward Tyler and others. 
The figures of Moses in the south transept, and of St. James in the north, respectively com- 
memorate President Lord and President Smith, the former being given by alumni in Boston 
under the lead of Judge Caleb Blodgett and J. W. Rollins, and the latter being secured by 
Professor Blanpied from friends of President Smith in the Agricultural College. The last four 
were from designs by Donald McDonald. 



420 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIV. 

Bible Society for the new desk, an address was given by Rev. 
Dr. Quint on "The Place of Religion in Education." Ill health 
prevented Mr. Rollins from being present but he took part 
in the exercises by a letter in which he said: "I shall never 
cease to regard the chapel with affectionate and peculiar interest, 
nor sufTer my faith to wane that with the ministration in it of 
faithful Christian ministers and instructors, and the blessing of 
heaven upon it, it will not fail, for many generations, to accom- 
plish great good for the College itself and for all those whom 
the influence of the College shall reach." The unveiling of a 
portrait of Mr. Rollins formed a part of the exercises which 
were closed by a prayer, an anthem and the benediction.^ 

The first regular exercise in the new chapel was held on Thurs- 
day, the opening day of the next college year, and Mr. Rollins 
being in Hanover, though much out of health, was able to be 
present, but his malady, more serious than he knew, took an 
unfavorable turn and he died two days later. On the follow- 
ing Monday his funeral was held in the chapel, the first of many 
funerals of college men held there since that day, and as his 
casket stood in front of the desk he seemed to consecrate by 
his death the gift of his life. 

The effect of the new chapel upon the character of the daily 
service was very marked. The customs and the traditions of 
the old chapel were left behind. Almost without exception 
good order and propriety have prevailed. Worthy surrroundings 
have aided worthy conduct, and respect for the place and respect 
for the service have helped each other. To this day the pews 
are free from disfigurement by pencil or knife, and the spirit 
of reverence has been preserved by the fact that the chapel 
has been reserved exclusively for religious and kindred services, 
no notices, even, of a different kind being given from the desk. 

In 1888 the chapel barely escaped destruction by fire. Two 
days before the opening of the fall term a fire was built in one 
of the furnaces to dry out the dampness that had gathered in 
the organ during the summer months. The attempt to force 
all the heat through a long horizontal pipe led to overheating 
at a point where a timber was partially exposed and this took 
fire. Fortunately the fire was discovered in the evening before 
it had made great headway and the prompt action of the fire 

» A marble tablet, erected by Mr. Rollins, declares the building to be "a reverend and loving 
tribute" to his father, Daniel Gustavus Rollins, his mother, Susan Binney Rollins, and his wife, 
Ellen Hobbs Rollins. 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 421 

department saved the building. The organ was considerably 
damaged and the interior of the roof was charred throughout, 
so that later it had to be ceiled again, but no fatal damage was 
done to the building and it was made ready for prayers on the 
first day of the term. 

The dedication of the chapel in the morning was followed by 
that of the library in the afternoon. Delays in the preparation 
of the shelves had prevented the transfer of the books from 
Reed Hall till a week before the time set for the opening. When 
at last the shelves were ready the President at morning prayers 
asked for volunteers to help in the moving. The whole college 
volunteered. Each class was assigned a day and was divided 
into squads which worked two hours at a time. Each pair of 
men, except those employed in taking down and dusting the 
books at one end and those employed in arranging them at 
the other, was given a tray holding as many books as two could 
conveniently carry. An endless chain of full and empty trays 
thus passed and repassed between the two halls till at the end 
of four days sixty thousand volumes had been transferred and 
the new library was ready for inspection. For this it was thrown 
open to the public at two o'clock Wednesday afternoon, and at 
three the dedicatory exercises were held in the College church, 
when the address was given by Mellen Chamberlain of the 
class of 1844.^ 

Upon the prosperity thus indicated by the increase of endow- 
ment and the erection of new buildings there had fallen the 
shadow of controversy. It began almost with the beginning 
of the administration and had its occasion in the relation of 
the Chandler School to the College. It will be remembered 
that at the opening of the School the Trustees determined the 
requirements for admission and the curriculum, and that after 
President Lord's unsuccessful attempt to put all the Faculty 
on a common footing as to work and salary, the teaching in the 
School was largely done by members of the Academic Faculty 
at the rate of payment, first of one dollar, and then of two dollars 
an hour, and that the School also paid, after i860, one fifth of 
all common expenses. Under this arrangement the School 
continued during the administration of President Smith, without 
further action by the Trustees except in the appointment of 
officers. The development of the university idea tended to 

1 All the exercises of the day are to be found in a pamphlet entitled: "Dedication of Rollins 
Chapel and WUson Hall. Dartmouth College, June 24, 1885. Printed for the College, 1886." 



422 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xiv. 

give the School greater prominence, and President Smith, 
while maintaining the supremacy of the Trustees, was inclined 
to allow the Faculties, as has been seen in the matter of the 
certificate system, to act upon matters which had heretofore 
been determined solely by the Trustees. 

Acting under this tacit permission the Chandler Faculty 
made considerable change in the requirements for admission 
and in the course of study, so that by 1877 the requirements 
for admission had been modified by the substitution of American 
history for outlines of general history, and of physical and polit- 
ical geography for geography, and by the requirement, instead 
of the recommendation, of algebra, first to, and then through, 
quadratics, and of all of plane geometry, and by the addition 
of physiology. 

The course of study, aside from variations that necessarily 
arose from convenience or advisability of arrangement, was 
modified particularly by the introduction of more history and 
more modern language. These changes were brought about 
partly by an aspiring consciousness in the minds of the Chandler 
Faculty of the growing importance of the School, partly from 
the desire to keep pace with the enlarged requirements for 
admission in the Academic Department, and partly from the 
wish to mark the contrast between the Chandler School and 
the Agricultural College, whose requirements for admission 
were stated in general to be the studies pursued in the common 
schools, a phrase recalling the statement of Mr. Chandler's will. 

In the early years of the School there had been a marked feeling 
of division between its students and those of the College, based 
largely upon the fact that the preparation demanded of the 
former was so much less than that demanded of the latter, 
but in process of time, as the number of the Chandler students 
increased and the idea of the Department became more distinct 
the feeling grew less pronounced, the students of both Depart- 
ments met on more familiar terms and the friends and graduates 
of the School, as well as its Faculty, felt that the School had 
secured a rightful individuality. Professor Woodman and after 
him Professor Ruggles, as holding the place of chief importance 
in the School, were very jealous of its name and fame and did 
their utmost to give it a prominent and independent position. 
This they did, not by developing the technical but the general 
character of its work, and they sought to attract students by 
advertising the School, not merely as a school for scientific 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 423 

training, but as one whose object was to give "a liberal education 
on a scientific basis." 

When President Bartlett entered upon office, in his survey 
of the financial and educational needs of the College, his atten- 
tion was at once drawn to the Chandler School. He found, as 
he believed, that the School had expanded beyond its resources 
and that it was drawing upon those of the College. Since its 
proportion of the common expenses had been fixed at one fifth, 
it had greatly increased in numbers and was not then contribut- 
ing its fair share of those expenses. It had a comparatively 
small fund, but through its connection with the College was 
making a disproportionate display. Its Faculty, for instance, 
which had but three permanent members, appeared larger than 
that of the College itself, for it was the custom to print in the 
hst of the Chandler Faculty the names of those members of 
the Academic Faculty who gave instruction in the School, 
though they had no other connection with it and no voice 
in its administration. Thus in 1876 and 1877 there were but 
two members of the Academic Faculty that did not also appear 
in the list of the Chandler Faculty, which, with its own members 
and the inclusion of some other names, was larger by two and 
four in the respective years than the Academic Faculty. The 
cost of the instruction thus gained was at disproportionately 
low rates. Professors in the College, on the ratio of work to 
salary, received from $5 to $6 an hour, but for their instruction 
in the Chandler School they received but $2 an hour. All work 
there was of course in addition to their work in the College and 
was by most, if not by all, welcomed as an opportunity to add 
to their meager salaries, but it unquestionably was a draft upon 
strength, which if not devoted to the same ends in the College 
might have been used for the personal advancement of the 
individual members of the Faculty. 

To the new President the Chandler School thus seemed to 
be a drain upon the College in two ways, by failing to pay its 
proper share of common expenses, and by making excessive 
demands for instruction upon the College Faculty, and further 
to have assumed an unwarranted independence of management. 
The first of these evils he at once sought to correct, and at 
the annual meeting in June of 1877 the Trustees passed the 
vote that henceforth expenses for the catalogue should be divided 
among the Departments according to the space occupied by 
each, and that those for chapel and the Commencement dinner 



424 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xiv. 

should be divided in proportion to the number of students. 
This was a natural solution, but the second and third difficulties 
could not be dealt with so easily, and required longer attention. 

The educational position and claim of the Chandler School 
were not less disturbing to the President than the financial 
situation. He was a thorough believer in the superiority of 
a classical training and regarded it as the only proper method 
of a liberal education, so that the expression, "a liberal educa- 
tion on a scientific basis," as descriptive of the work of the 
Chandler School, seemed to him misleading. He further thought 
that such an aim, even if secured by the School, was not in accord 
with Mr. Chandler's intent, which was to train young men 
"in the practical and useful arts of life," and that the require- 
ments for admission to the School were in excess of those described 
in the will, as "no other or higher studies than those pursued 
in the common schools of New England." 

Soon after the settlement of the financial relation of the 
College and the Chandler School by the apportionment of 
expenses, it became evident that the President had in mind a 
complete overhauling of the School. He questioned not only 
the validity of the requirements for admission and of the course 
of study under the will, and the propriety of instruction by 
members of the Academic Faculty, but also the constitution 
of the School itself. He called in review the decision of the 
Board made at the establishment of the School, that it had 
the right to accept the gift of Mr. Chandler subject to a Board 
of Visitors, and presented the question anew to various lawyers, 
and to judges of the Supreme Court of Vermont. Upon the 
question whether the curriculum of the School was in accord 
with Mr. Chandler's will he asked the opinion of the heads of 
several technical schools. To the legal members of the Board 
he caused to be referred the same question and also that of the 
requirements for admission. The members of the Academic 
Faculty were practically withdrawn from the School and the 
instruction there was restricted to its own Faculty, which was 
enlarged by the addition of two members. 

Within three years these matters were so earnestly pressed 
upon the attention of the Board that the School occupied more 
of their thought than it had done during the preceding fifteen 
years. The changes that had been made under President 
Smith were discovered to be without the express sanction of 
the Trustees, and were, therefore, held to be invalid. Their 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 425 

last vote upon the order of the School was in 1857, and the 
proceedings of the Faculty since that time, taken partly because 
of the growth of the School and partly for the sake of it, though 
shared in by the President of the College and printed in the 
annual catalogue and unchallenged by any member of the Board 
for twenty years, were regarded as entirely unauthorized. 

President Bartlett suggested a return to the entrance require- 
ments of 1857 as the only authorized requirements, but on pre- 
senting the matter to the Board the subject was referred to a 
committee consisting of Judge Eastman and Judge Veazey, 
who were requested to consider the requirements with special 
reference to Mr. Chandler's will. In accordance with their 
report plane geometry was taken from the existing requirement 
and algebra required only to quadratics, but two years later 
geometry was again required. Some changes were also made 
in the course of study. But the President's main contention, 
fortified by the opinion of lawyers whom he had consulted and 
strenuously urged upon the Board, that the Trustees could not 
legally accept a trust subject to visitorial control, was not accepted 
by them. He was more successful, as has been said, in with- 
drawing the Academic Faculty from teaching in the Chandler 
School, a result which was brought about by a vote, passed in 
June, 1879, that "if any teacher in the College become instructor 
in the Chandler Scientific department his services shall be limited 
to fifty recitations and that one half of the compensation be 
paid to the teacher and one half to the College" except in cases 
otherwise provided for. 

As few cared to give up half of the small return for their 
services which they received for teaching in the Chandler School, 
the supply of teachers from the Academic Department was thus 
cut off. This lack brought a great load upon the Chandler 
Faculty, even when enlarged, and the securing of sufificient 
instruction with the restricted funds of the School was no small 
task for the President and committees of the Trustees to whom 
the matter was successively entrusted. 

It vvas not unnatural that these attempts to modify the existing 
order of the Chandler School and to restrict its operations should 
arouse opposition. The Chandler Faculty soon felt that not 
only their privileges but what they regarded as their rights 
were endangered, and they resented what seemed antagonism 
to the School. The President appeared to be the head of the 
School, not to develop but to depress it, for so they interpreted 



426 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIV. 

the curtailment of the Hberty of action, which they had enjoyed 
for so many years, the reduction in the requirements for admission 
and the withdrawal of the teachers of the Academic Department. 
It was not so much, however, the things that were done as the 
way in which they were done that occasioned friction. To 
change established methods, to withdraw privileges and to 
enforce restrictions are always difficult and call for tact, for- 
bearance and the appreciation of the feelings of others. These 
qualities were not characteristic of Dr. Bartlett. He had a 
resolute will, intent on carrying its point, sharp incisive speech, 
a quickness of caustic retort, a tendency to controversy that 
sometimes seemed a fondness for it, and when engaged in it 
a firmness that grew stronger with opposition, and that emphasiz- 
ing the correctness of his own view and the error of his oppo- 
nents, regarded compromise and yielding as a mark of weakness. 

It is not surprising, therefore, that his attempt, undertaken 
in all sincerity, to correct what he regarded as abuses in the 
Chandler School, soon took a personal turn, and that ill feeling 
arose between those who thought that they were being degraded 
by an unsympathetic leader, and one, who felt that he was being 
thwarted in his plans. In place of sympathetic confidence 
there came distrust on the part of the Faculty and the deter- 
mination to carry his point on the part of the President. The 
difference once begun was thus enlarged by personal feelings 
that had nothing to do with the case. 

If the President had been willing to make concessions on some 
points he would have conciliated many who could not follow 
him to the extreme, but opposition only made him more stead- 
fast, and with an inflexible determination he pushed forward 
in the execution of his plans. Quick sensibilities, easily stirred, 
gave stimulus to his will and made this a chief factor in his rela- 
tions with others. It seemed to the Chandler Faculty as if 
he were disaffected toward the School and, with this spirit, were 
unwilling to yield anything to its supporters. 

The Board, while accepting his views to some extent, guarded 
against this attitude for itself by a vote passed at its annual 
meeting in 1880, in connection with the report of the committee 
upon the requirements for admission: 

Resolved that we are opposed to any change in the curriculum in the Chand- 
ler Scientific Department of Dartmouth College that shall in any sense tend 
to debase or degrade the same; that we believe the standard and usefulness 
of this Department can not only be maintained but improved by a rearrange- 



1 877-1 892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 427 

ment and modification of the curriculum in some respects, and that the same 
be done by Rev. Dr. Quint in connection with Professor Ruggles as a com- 
mittee subject to the approval of the President, Dr. Bartlett; and in case 
of disagreement, the two may call in an arbiter whose decision shall be final 
for the ensuing year. 

The difficulties of the situation at that time gathered mainly 
about the securing of instructors. Under existing schedules 
the withdrawal of the Academic teachers left more work than 
the Chandler Faculty could well do, and as their only possible 
relief seemed to be in having help as before from the Academic 
Faculty they were earnest to secure that permission. The 
amount of instruction required was, however, bound up with 
the schedule of the curriculum and it was to these two points 
that Dr. Quint's efforts were directed. His success in carrying 
out his commission was told by him in a letter to Governor 
Prescott, written from Dover under date of July 23, 1880: 

I did not succeed quite as well as I wished. I did succeed as to curriculum, 
very well. I met Mr. Ruggles alone, and also with Mr. Sherman. My 
plan was to leave the President outside, and arrange with Mr. Ruggles a 
schedule which I knew the President could approve when it came to him. 
I wanted to relieve him, and take (for myself and the Board) all the curses, 
so the President should be free. I did so. Mr. R. wailed, and Mr. S. was 
rather savage, but I put my foot down that the Board would have certain 
things, and I got them. Mr. Ruggles and myself signed a joint report, which 
was and is a thoroughly good schedule, good enough. The President approved 
with one "provided." The "provided" referred to "architecture." I had 
to decline admitting his "provided" on the ground that Mr. Chandler's 
will absolutely required "architecture" by name, and our object is to get to 
Mr. Chandler's will. 

But, after I thought that we had agreed on the arrangement of teachers 
to the studies, — that part tumbled over! My agreement with Mr. R. was this: 

1. It is impossible for the new Prof, to teach Mechanics! Mr. Sherman 
has been doing it. (I knew when the choice was made at the President's 
urging, that it was a great blunder!) So we agreed that these two might 
quietly exchange some studies this year. To this the Prest. assented. 

2. I understood the opinion of the Board to be, at Concord, that, this year, 
there should be entire liberty to employ Professors of the College, on the old 
basis (not last year's) — accepting such professors as were not fully employed. 
You will remember that, after I was appointed Committee, I asked the opinion 
of the Board on this matter; that the Prest. stepped forward and said that 
we ought to be surprised at what he should say, but that, for this year, he 
was in favor of waiving all objections, and allowing full liberty — except where 
Professors were now fully taxed, — and that this was a concession. The Board 
agreed and seemed glad at this concession. 

I so informed Mr. Ruggles; and also that the President had this kindly 
feeling. He was mollified. As to Pollens, I said he was too busy. As to 
Noyes, Sanborn, and Parker, — yes, within fair limits. Mr. Ruggles said that 



428 • History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIV. 

Hardy had some lectures (good ones) on architecture, and it would be a good 
thing to get him, and it would please him (he being a little disgruntled). I 
told him, doubtful as to Hardy, but would consider. As to Prof. Bartlett, 
Hitchcock, and Pettee, all right. 

Mr. Ruggles and myself signed report on this basis. I took it to the Pres- 
ident (Mr. R. remaining in my room) and explained it. I was glad I did 
not take Ruggles with me. The Prest. agreed to the employment of his 
son, Hitchcock and Pettee. I suggested whether it would be a good stroke 
to ask Hardy as above. The President was exceedingly irritated, — "it was 
the old plan, trying to sap the College," etc. I instantly withdrew the sug- 
gestion, saying it was but a hint, and that Mr. Ruggles had not pressed it 
in the slightest degree. Turning then to the employment of Noyes, Parker, 
and Sanborn, the President opposed it in the strongest terms. It intensely 
surprised me. I understood him at Concord to admit the whole plan! He 
said that at Concord he did not say "how many" and did "not mention any 
names." I told him I understood the opinion of the Board to be unanimous 
that a generous liberty should be allowed this year. He renewed his argu- 
ments about "sapping the College." I told him that he should have finished 
that up down at Concord. He finally consented that Noyes might teach. I 
told him it was not a question whether one or ten were to teach; it was con- 
ciliation in view of what he had done disagreeable to the Chandlers, and that 
it was clear that he and I could not agree. I felt bound to abide by the 
opinion of the Board, and told him so. I told him that if this was left unsettled 
by the Committee he would have the fight on his hands. He replied that he 
could do it, he could stand fighting when he knew he was right. I hinted that 
he had had full enough of it, strong as he was, and plead for conciliation in a 
few words. It was useless. When we could not agree, — he called my attention 
to the fact that Dr. Davis's record did not authorize this Committee to assign 
teachers! It was so! The intent of the Board was doubtless to have this Com- 
mittee affirm the curriculum to the teachers, but it did not (apparently) say so. 
I told the President that I did not doubt what the Board intended but that, 
as we disagreed, I was very glad to be relieved of all further responsibility, 
and should so consider myself. But I expressed to him my regret that matters 
must be left so unsettled, with nobody authorized to do anything, as nobody 
had any right to hire a teacher or appropriate money except the Board or 
an authorized committee. 

The Prest. then proposed that we might assume the responsibility, and 
wanted to know if in case he would further agree to admit Prof. Parker (making 
Noyes and Parker) I would agree to oppose any further employment after 
this year. I declined making any bargain. I regarded the determination 
of the Board at Concord as final for the year, and must abide by it. 

I went to Prof. Ruggles; told him (not of our differences) that the Prest. 
had called my attention to the fact that the record of the Board did not 
authorize us to procure teachers, and we must take out that part of our report, 
which we did; he was rather bewildered however. 

I left Hanover. Have had letters from the President since. I have declined 
acceding to anything except that the Board intended this year to allow a 
generous liberty in employing Professors, — especially to remove soreness, — 
and that I cannot bargain in the matter. There it rests. 

I was grievously disappointed. I had relieved the President of all the 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 429 

odium in rearranging the curriculum. I had seen Noyes, and Parker, and 
the conciliation as to Professors had softened them wonderfully. Then 
to have the President suddenly fly off at the minor matters, go straight against 
the opinion of the Board, let the favorable time go by, — seemed cruel. Ruggles 
left town with nothing settled as to teachers. There is no authority in the 
President to get teachers. A growing harmony was suddenly smashed; 
all for a point of no principle whatever. I felt hurt, and almost despair 
of any harmony while the President is President and the Chandler School is 
connected with Dartmouth College. I became fearful that the President 
is embittered against the Chandler School, and that he means to depress it. 
The sudden erection of that new professorship, and filling it with the man 
who must do the engineering, implies it. The President insisted that Engineer- 
ing meant nothing but surveying; he will persist in that. He opposed the 
creation of a Professorship of Engineering; — my attention was called to the 
fact at Hanover — that the professorship does now exist. It was erected 
about 1856, and was kept filled until Hardy was transferred to the College 
two or three years ago! It is still on our records. I called the President's 
attention to that fact, at Hanover. He refused to acknowledge it, because 
it is not endowed. 

I wish that you would write me. Was I mistaken as to the intent of the 
Board in allowing the employment of Professors this year? If I am I will 
yield, but it will embitter the trouble fearfully. At Hanover I think not a 
quarter of the sentiment is with the President, and not more thayi two Professors 
besides his son. I was grieved at it. If I saw you I could tell you of opinions 
as to the matter which are unfortunate. 

By some blunder the copy which the President gave me of the vote as 
to terms of admission, taken from 1857, omits entirely the strong recommenda- 
tion of Algebra and Geometry! I don't understand it. That was a vital 
part of the vote. I have called the President's attention to it. 

Unless there is some change of feeling I frankly say I see no prospect of 
harmony. 

The feeling which Dr. Quint reported was not confined to 
the Chandler Faculty. Dr. Bartlett was not a man with whom 
half-way positions were possible. He commanded ardent sup- 
port or equal opposition, and his policy and methods ranged 
the whole resident Faculty on one side or the other. Some 
members of the Academic Faculty were sorry to lose the oppor- 
tunity of teaching in the Chandler School, some sympathized 
with the Faculty of that School in its relation to the President, 
but it was not till the spring of 1881 that the parties were defi- 
nitely alligned. 

There had been several recent changes in the Faculty. In the 
summer of 1878 Professor E. T. Quimby resigned the chair 
of mathematics and civil engineering, which was at once filled 
by the transfer from the Chandler Faculty of Professor Arthur 
S. Hardy, who brought with him a warm sympathy for his 



430 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIV. 

former associates. In the same year Louis Pollens, who had 
come as instructor in French the year before, was made professor 
of French and Librarian, and John H. Wright, a graduate of 
the class of 1873, who came from two years' study in Germany 
after being assistant professor of ancient languages in the Ohio 
State University, was appointed associate professor of Greek. 
In 1879 Dr. Edwin J. Bartlett, the son of the President, was 
elected to the chair of chemistry on the recommendation of 
members of the Faculty. The untimely death of Professor 
John C. Proctor, which occurred October 27, 1879, made vacant 
the chair of Greek, and it was in connection with the appoint- 
ment of his successor that the break between the President 
and the Faculty occurred. Under the charter the Faculty had 
no voice in the election of new members, yet it had long been 
the custom for the President of the College to confer with the 
Faculty upon appointments, for advice or recommendation, 
before taking them to the Trustees. No immediate appoint- 
ment to the Greek chair was made, as the work of the Depart- 
ment was under the charge of Associate Professor Wright, 
who, being in the line of succession, desired the appointment 
and was favored by several members of the Faculty. The 
President did not favor him, and when at last he fixed upon a 
man for the place he did not bring the matter to the Faculty, 
though he showed his credentials to most of its individual mem- 
bers. The failure to bring the matter before the Faculty, or 
even to consult all its members privately, brought to the surface 
the dissatisfaction with the President that had been gathering, 
and when the election was announced the feeling was very strong. 
It was not that an unsuitable man had been chosen, or even 
that the Faculty had not been consulted, for after first refusing 
to discuss the matter the President had, in a meeting of the 
Faculty, stated his position, with the added remark that he 
would present to the Board the different view of any member 
of the Faculty but he did not think that any such view would 
affect the result. It was rather that some felt that their views 
had not been correctly stated to the Trustees, and that the 
President's course, in line with his course in the Chandler School, 
indicated an autocratic temper that, in carrying out a policy 
saw only the object he had in view and interpreted everything 
in accordance with his desires. The order of former admin- 
istrations seemed to be reversed, and authority to take the 
place of friendly association. 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 431 

The disaffection of the Faculty corresponded in time with a 
similar feeling among the students, though partly from other 
causes. The Chandler students were naturally disaffected toward 
the President, but many in the College, and mainly the senior 
class, had a similar feeling, arising from a case of severe disci- 
pline in which the class had been earlier involved. The Faculty 
was divided in its judgment concerning it, but a majority of 
two to one agreed with the President in inflicting the penalty, 
and yet, as is usually the case, the executive officer suffered the 
odium of it. 

The opposition of a considerable portion of the Faculty to 
the President's candidate for the Greek chair becoming known, 
though there was nothing personal in it to him, caused that 
gentleman to decline the election, and stirred the alumni, who 
had for some time been hearing that all was not at peace in the 
College. Coming in addition to the unrest in the Chandler 
School, and supplemented by the reported ill-feeling among 
the students, it moved the Association of Alumni in New York 
City to present the following memorial to the Trustees at their 
meeting, April 7, 1881 : 

To the Honorable Board of Trustees of Dartmouth College: 

Whereas the Alumni of Dartmouth College have heard for some time past 
disquieting rumors concerning the state of affairs in the College, tending to 
impair the natural increase and growth of the College, to alienate the interest 
of the Alumni whose co-operation and assistance are so needful, and to reflect 
upon the management of the present incumbent of the presidential chair, 

Therefore the said Alumni would respectfully request the Honorable Board 
of Trustees to appoint from their own number a committee whose duty it 
shall be to thoroughly investigate the said state of affairs, in order that errors 
of management, if there are any, may be corrected, by the adoption of a new 
policy, or that the present executive may be vindicated and strengthened; 
in either case that an end may be put to injurious rumors, harmony in admin- 
istration may be attained, hindrances to growth may be removed, and the 
interest and aid of the Alumni again secured. And they would further suggest 
that said committee report at as early a day as practicable in order that 
ends above specified may be attained with as little delay as possible. "« 

The memorial was referred for investigation and report to 
a committee of three, consisting of the senior members of the 
Board, Messrs. Nesmith, Spalding and Quint. The President 
and the disaffected members of the Faculty were at one in wish- 
ing to avoid a public investigation. The President, believing 
in his policy and methods, felt that the public airing of "dis- 

iln the matter of a Memorial of the New York Association of Alumni of Dartmouth Colleee 
vs. President Bartlett, Vol. lo. 



432 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIV. 

quieting rumors" would be harmful to the College; the members 
of the Faculty, believing that the disquieting rumors covered 
essential evils of administration, were equally desirous not to 
have them spread abroad. They felt, however, that these could 
be cured only by the retirement of the President, and with the 
hope of bringing this about they expressed to the Trustees, 
in advance of any investigation, their view that the interests 
of the College called for his resignation. This was done in a 
paper signed on April 29 by fifteen of the twenty-two resident 
members of the Faculty, and assented to by the Treasurer. The 
signers included all the members of the Faculties of the 
Chandler School and the Agricultural College, the one resident 
member of the Medical Faculty, and seven of the twelve per- 
manent members of the Academic Faculty. 

The disquieting rumors of which the New York alumni cqm- 
plained had, of course, their origin in the situation at Hanover, 
but the movement of the alumni was not the result of influences 
that came from there. Several things combined to bring it 
about. Friends of the Chandler School were disturbed by the 
attitude of the President toward it, others distrusted him as 
an administrator and were apprehensive of the result of his 
policy, and some of liberal tendencies were opposed to his rigid 
orthodoxy. The paper sent from the Faculties to the Trustees 
ranged its signers with the New York Alumni, though without 
regard to the motives of the alumni, for among the signers were 
some whose orthodoxy was as firm as the President's. Both 
parties sought the same end, but in opposite ways, the alumni 
by investigation, the signers without it. The paper, however, 
had exactly the opposite result from what was desired. Dr. 
Bartlett would not resign under fire and united with the alumni 
in demanding an investigation, with the expectation not only 
of clearing himself but of exposing the motives of hostility to him. 

On the 9th of May the committee of the Trustees went to 
Hanover and spent two days in conferring with the President 
and the members of the Faculty, both those who signed the paper 
and those who supported the President. They had interviews 
with individuals and also with the body of the signers, but were 
not able to effect a reconciliation, as they had hoped. 

The alumni had not desired or expected any part in the inves- 
tigation for which they had asked. They were informed of 
the appointment of the committee and that it would meet in 
Hanover May 26, but in answer to an inquiry they learned 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 433 

that their presence was not expected. The committee met on 
the appointed day and had a conference with the members of 
the Faculty who had signed the paper, when these, in answer 
to requests, declined to make charges against the President, 
saying that their action was only an expression of judgment 
in view of the memorial of the alumni, and not an exhibit of 
charges. An adjournment was taken to Concord, to the 3d 
of June, and the New York Alumni were notified to appear. 
Sanford H. Steele of the class of 1870 was sent to represent 
them, but as the meeting was on Friday and the notice was not 
received until the afternoon of Tuesday, and as there had been 
no expectation on the part of the alumni that they were to be 
present, Mr. Steele could only ask for a continuance. This 
was granted with the requirement that before the committee 
next met, an adjournment being taken to June 17 at Hanover, 
the alumni should present in writing their charges with speci- 
fications. No member of the Faculty opposed to the President 
was present at the meeting, though a telegram was sent by the 
committee, on the morning of the day, authorizing the suspension 
of college exercises in order that members of the Faculty might 
attend the hearing. 

It was very evident, however, that though the Faculty had 
brought no charges and had not appeared to testify, the case 
of the Alumni rested upon facts that could be obtained only in 
Hanover and from the Faculty. Accordingly Mr. Steele came 
to Hanover and after several days of inquiry formulated, on 
his return to New York, the charges against the President. 
These, five in number with twenty-two specifications were as 
follows:^ 

First. That said Bartlett by his habitually insolent, discourteous and dic- 
tatorial manner in official intercourse with his associates members of the 
Faculty has stifled all free and independent discussion of college matters 
and that he has illegally ignored and usurped the functions of the Faculties 
of various departments of the College. 

Second. That said Bartlett has deliberately and intentionally imperiled 
the influence of the Faculty with the students and has improperly endeavored 
to bring certain members into disgrace in the eyes of the students and the 
public. 

Third. That said Bartlett has persistently and systematically exerted 
his official influence to impair and diminish the prosperity of different Depart- 
ments of the College. 

Fourth. That in his public official relations to the students said Bartlett 

1 111 the matter of a Memorial of the New York Association of Alumni of Dartmouth College 
vs. President Bartlett, Vol. 2. 
28 



434 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIV. 

has used such language as to necessarily humiliate and disgrace them and 
graduate them as enemies instead of friends of the College. 

Fifth. That said Bartlett has so far lost the confidence of his associate 
members of the Faculty that out of a total membership of twenty-three 
residents sixteen openly express the belief that the best interests of the College 
require his resignation. 

The hearing on these charges was begun before the committee 
at the office of the Treasurer in Hanover on June 17. The 
alumni were represented by counsel, Judge William Fullerton, 
Sanford H. Steele and Asa W. Tenney of New York City, and 
President Bartlett was present with his counsel, Harry Bingham 
of Littleton and Judge William S. Ladd of Lancaster. The 
proceedings of this and subsequent sessions were reported sten- 
ographically by Mr. J. R. Pember, a graduate of the College 
in 1862, and an official reporter in the courts of Vermont. Two 
days were spent in the hearing, most of the sixteen mentioned 
in the last charge being called upon to testify in support of the 
different specifications, and then it was adjourned to July 12. 

On that day the committee met in Culver Hall, and as Dr. 
Quint was absent Judge Stanley and Judge Veazey of the Trus- 
tees, who were present, were invited to sit with the committee. 
Two more days were spent in the hearing and then the case 
was submitted without argument. It will be observed that the 
charges had to do, as Mr. Steele remarked in presenting them, 
with what might be called constitutional tendencies, expressed 
not so much in single oppressive acts as in a general and char- 
acteristic determination on the part of the President to make 
his will effective and to crush opposition rather than to persuade 
it. Their real gravamen, imperfectly expressed in the specifi- 
cations and, therefore, ruled out in the testimony, was an infirm- 
ity of recognizing and stating a position opposite to this own. 

The report of the committee made to the Board and unan- 
imously adopted at a meeting held at Concord July 28, at which 
all the members were present except the President, was uniformly 
in favor of the President. 

"While the charges," it said, "were serious, the specifications were inad- 
equate, many of them trivial, nearly half of them were withdrawn, and as 
a whole unsupported by adequate proof of any important error. 

"Some alleged remarks, of a severe or ill-timed or careless nature, mainly 
in the early part of the administration, and if not always prudent, yet some- 
times challenged by disgracefully disorderly conduct; some omission or com- 
mission in the intercourse of the president and faculty; some differences as 
to administration; and some occasional real mistakes on the part of the 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartleti. 435 

president, which he himself frankly admits; — such constitute the main part 
of the case presented by the New York alumni in the alleged particular facts. 
The committee do not think that the formal investigation thus has disclosed 
any results which sustain, so far as acts and words go, a claim that there should 
be a change of office." 

The report, in attempting to trace the cause of the alienation 
that had grown up, regarded the Chandler School as the seat 
of the trouble, and in stoutly asserting the control of the Board 
over the School, as against the influence of the President, it 
practically made a confession of neglect on the part of the Board 
in allowing the School to continue for twenty years without 
any supervision except such as had come through the assent 
of the President of the College for the time being, and in assert- 
ing that "there could be no degradation of the Chandler Scien- 
tific Department," and that, henceforth, the attitude of the 
President must be in harmony with the policy of the Board. 

The committee was aware that the life of an administration 
could not be framed into technical charges and specifications 
capable of precise and tangible proof, and consequently found 
its most serious difficulty in the relations of the President and 
the Faculty, for it saw that while the professors recognized 
the President's "eminent ability, his great scholarship, his 
constant industry and his executive force, and were on terms 
of personal friendship with him," they were yet "out of harmony 
with him in their official intercourse and were positive in their 
convictions." It felt that the President's natural energy and 
force of will had, perhaps, made him "somewhat inflexible," 
that his "characteristics and opinions being in some respects 
different from those of his eminent predecessor" naturally 
had caused som.e friction, and that "extreme sensitiveness had 
been developed on the one side, and perhaps inattention to the 
fact of that sensitiveness had existed on the other." With the 
grounds of dissatisfaction thus explained it hoped that there 
might be a reconciliation between the parties. "To this," said 
the report, "the Board should exhort all parties. If it fail, the 
Board will be in a condition to deliberate and act with wisdom 
and decision." 

To the memorial of the New York alumni the answer was 
returned that the Board had patiently examined into the "dis- 
quieting rumors," and while finding some "errors of manage- 
ment" had yet "endeavored to correct all such errors in the 
best possible way. " A committee, consisting of Messrs. Veazey, 



436 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. Xiv. 

Tucker and Stanley, was appointed to communicate the result 
to the President and the Faculty and to act as a committee 
of conference. At the opening of the college year Messrs. 
Veazey and Tucker came to Hanover, and met those who had 
opposed the President. A day was spent in conference upon 
the situation. The members of the Faculty thought that since 
the Board had sustained the President, while their own views 
had not changed, the circumstances unquestionably called for 
their resignations, and all without hesitation placed them at 
the disposal of the committee. The committee, however, 
declined to receive them, earnestly declaring that the interests 
of the College required that every one should retain his position, 
and go on with his work. 

Under these conditions the work of the new year began, but 
it was not to be expected that there should be harmony. Strong 
feeling existed inside the College and out. Members of the 
Faculty held their peace, but many communications from 
friends and opponents of the President away from, Hanover, 
and also among the students, appeared in the papers. Sharp 
criticism and keen defence of both sides were mingled with 
rumors of resignations, asked or voluntary, till at the meeting 
of the Trustees in April, 1882, the following votes were passed: 

To put at rest the disquieting rumors that have been circulated, to the 
effect that the Trustees desire the resignation of President Bartlett, 

Resolved. That we put on record the expression of our continued confi- 
dence in him as an able, efficient administrator, and an admirable instructor 
and we believe that the best interests of the College require that he should 
continue in his present position. 

Resolved. That we believe that the best interests of the College require 
that the members of the Faculty should continue in their present positions 
and cordially co-operate in advancing the true interests of the College. 

The second resolution received unanimous support, the first 
was passed by a vote of six to four. Governor Bell not being 
present. The division of opinion indicated by this vote con- 
tinued through the administration of Dr. Bartlett, varying 
with the shifting composition of the Board, but never giving 
to the opposition an actual majority until the meeting in Feb- 
ruary, 1892, when all occasion for it was ended by the resigna- 
tion of the President. It was strong enough, however, in the 
interval, to resist the demand for the removal of some members 
of the Faculty and to secure the election of one professor who 
was opposed by the President, yet on the whole the majority 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 437 

stood steadfastly by the President, withholding their support 
only in case of extreme measures which would have widened 
the breach between him and the Faculty. 

The administration of Dr. Bartlett continued for eleven years 
more. This period was not one of harmony either in the Board 
or the Faculty, and the lack of it was harmful to the College, 
but it is a proof of the ability of the President and the fidelity 
of the Faculty that, in spite of the division, the College held its 
own in numbers and standards, and also made advance in endow- 
ment and equipment. The great misfortune of the period was 
that during those years the College was not building up a strong 
constituency on which it could afterward rely. 

One of the early movements of importance in President 
Bartlett's administration was the establishment of the Latin 
Scientific Course. As has been said. Dr. Bartlett was a firm 
believer in a classical training and in this he laid no less stress 
on Greek than on Latin. He was himself an able Greek scholar, 
and in the interval between the death of Professor Proctor 
and the appointment of his successor, he had helped out the 
Greek Department by taking the course in Demosthenes on the 
Crown. But the time was one in which the push against Greek 
was making itself strongly felt. Educational values were 
becoming unsettled and there was a growing demand for an 
A.B. degree without Greek. The President recognized the 
force of the movement and in the fall of 1878 a committee of 
the Faculty, of which he was chairman, reported favorably 
upon the setting up of a course in the College in which Greek 
should have no place. After long discussions the matter went 
to the Trustees with the approval of the Faculty, the President 
insisting only that the same degree should not be given to the 
the one who had taken Greek as to him who had not. The 
degree of A.B. had not so far lost the meaning which it had 
held up to that time, of connoting the study of Greek, that the 
President or Trustees or Faculty were willing to assign it to 
a course of study which omitted that language, and they hence 
agreed that the new course should have a degree of its own. 

At their meeting, March 20, 1879, the Trustees voted: 

That the Faculty be instructed, if practicable, to establish a Latin Scientific 
Course in the College, with a fixed curriculum differing from the present course, 
by substituting for the study of Greek in College, an increased amount of 
mathematics, physics, chemistry, geology and mineralogy, modern languages 
and other studies, which may be judged expedient, and that the degree con- 
ferred at graduation shall be Bachelor of Letters. 



438 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIV. 

The above vote did not imply any change in the requirements 
for admission, and candidates for the new course were expected 
to bring Greek as for the regular A.B. course. But it soon 
appeared that it was a mistake to require a leading subject for 
admission that was not to be continued in College, and also 
that the requirement would not meet the desires of those who 
wished to avoid Greek in the preparatory school as well as in 
college, accordingly at the next annual meeting the Trustees 
voted to omit Greek from the entrance requirements for the 
new course. As nothing was substituted for it students enter- 
ing the new course lacked the preparation that others gained 
by the consistent study of Greek for two or three years and 
were consequently at a disadvantage in their college work. 
An attempt was made in 1882 partially to remedy this by re- 
quiring for admission one year of French, and a little later, 
physical geography. In 1892 the requirement in French was 
raised to two years, and botany and physiology were added, 
but five years later, for the last two there was substituted one 
of the sciences, physics, chemistry and biology. 

The new course was advertised in the catalogue issued in 
the fall of 1879, and in the next year opened with four stu- 
dents. It had a fairly rapid, though somewhat irregular, 
growth, entering twenty-seven in 1890, and after 1896 partaking 
of the general advance of the college and rising to fifty-eight 
admissions in 1900. Owing to the enrichment to the B.S. 
course incident to the incorporation of the Chandler School 
with the College, and to the somewhat uncertain value attach- 
ing to the different degrees, the Latin Scientific Course was 
given up with the class entering in 1901, the degree of B.L. 
being conferred for the last time in 1905. After that year the 
College conferred in course only the two degrees of A.B. and 
B.S. Latin, and not Latin and Greek, was made the basis of 
the A.B. degree, and those who had taken neither Greek nor 
Latin in college received the degree of B.S. 

Almost coincidently with the beginning of the Latin Scientific 
Course elective studies found a place in the curriculum. The 
Faculty had not done violence to the recommendation of the 
Trustees, already mentioned, of a "limited and cautious use" of 
electives, since it had restricted elections to mathematics and mod- 
ern languages in sophomore year, and to mathematics and 
Greek and Latin in part of junior year, but beginning in 1874 
it had offered several optional studies in senior year, consisting 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 439 

mainly of "practical" courses in the sciences and of courses in 
French and German. Other subjects, like Hebrew and Sanskrit 
were added as teachers could be secured, but they were taken 
by comparatively few students and the relation of optionals 
to other subjects — whether attendance should be required, 
whether an examination should be required, and whether they 
should be marked and rated as other courses — caused much 
discussion in the Faculty. In 1880 certain courses were offered 
in metaphysics and history in which the student was to work 
under the direction of a teacher, to hand in a thesis, to take 
an examination and be marked, but no announcement of the 
courses was made in the catalogue. 

This omission was owing to the dissatisfaction of the Faculty 
with the system of optionals, and in the next year they presented 
to the Trustees, with a recommendation for its adoption, a de- 
tailed schedule of electives covering junior and senior years. 
This was assented to by the Trustees, to go into effect in the 
fall of 1882, and was the beginning of the present system of 
electives in the College. It opened a little more than a third 
of junior year to electives, the afternoon hour being wholly, 
and the noon hour being partially, given to them. Greek and 
Latin were thrown into the elective group, the prescribed sub- 
jects being physics, chemistry, astronomy, rhetoric, natural 
theology and English literature. In senior year the change 
was still greater, the noon hour only was held to prescribed work, 
and as from that time three exercises were required of seniors, 
as of the other classes, two thirds of their work became elective. 
The prescribed subjects of senior year were, psychology, logic, 
ethics, political economy. Christian evidences, constitutional 
law and physiology. In these two years the languages, ancient 
and modern, and mathematics retired to the elective group, 
and in senior year the sciences entered the same group after 
being prescribed during junior year. This system of electives, 
with minor changes of arrangement and subjects, continued 
substantially the same until 1893, when it received a still further 
extension into sophomore year. 

Another plan for the encouragement of scholarship was worked 
out in the same year as the system of electives. It was a scheme 
of honors, so arranged as to affect different portions of the college 
course, and to have cumulative effect. Two grades of honors 
were devised, one called "honorable mention," which was 
awarded for general excellence in various departments mainly 



440 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xiv. 

in the prescribed courses, not before the end of sophomore year, 
the other called "final honors" and awarded at graduation for 
distinguished excellence in the work of a department, and the 
passing of an examination on the entire work of the department 
and on such other work of reading or investigation as might 
be specially prescribed. To those who received both honorable 
mention and final honors in any department a degree was given 
cum laiide. A few years later, in 1886, the Trustees permitted, 
in the interests of scholarship, the division of classes In classics 
as in mathematics into sections based on rank. 

In the Medical College a decided advance of the standard 
was made in 1890 by the requirement of an additional year 
of professional study, so that a candidate for the degree of 
M.D. must have pursued four full years of such study instead of 
three, and have attended three full courses of lectures instead 
of two, although the holding of a college degree was accepted 
in lieu of one year of study. 

The Commencement of 1882 had an unusual character. A 
very discriminating and sympathetic address in memory of 
President Smith was given by the Rev. E. B. Coe, D.D., of New 
York City, on Tuesday evening, and on Wednesday was observed 
the centennial celebration of the birth of Daniel Webster. The 
address was delivered by Thomas F. Bayard, United States 
senator from Delaware. A cloudy morning brought relief 
from the heat of the preceding days and gave comfort to the 
audience. At ten o'clock Mr. Bayard was escorted by the 
student body from the home of Mr. Hiram Hitchcock, whose 
guest he was, to the church, where a great concourse awaited 
him and which he held in closest attention for two hours in an 
analysis of the character and work of Webster. 

At the alumni dinner, which followed the exercises, President 
Bartlett lead the speaking with the sentiment, "Daniel Webster 
and Dartmouth College, one and inseparable," and all the 
speakers paid their tribute to Webster in the discussion of some 
phase of his life. Especial interest was given to the occasion 
by the gift to the College by Messrs. Houghton Brothers of 
Boston of the hair-cloth covered armchair which Webster had 
used in his study at Franklin. When the chair was presented 
by Governor Bell on behalf of the Messrs. Houghton, Mr. 
Bayard, as the guest of honor and the eulogist of Webster, was 
escorted to a seat in it. 

The changes in the resident Faculty that occurred in the 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 441 

earlier part of President Bartlett's administration, and that 
have been already mentioned, were followed by a still greater 
number in the later years. In 1881 the former Professor S. G. 
Brown, who had just resigned the presidency of Hamilton 
College, was recalled as lecturer on intellectual philosophy 
and political economy, and remained two years. In 1882 the 
chair of Greek, which had been vacant nearly three years, was 
filled by the election of Rufus B. Richardson, a graduate of 
Yale and at that time professor of Greek in Indiana University. 
In the same year Professor Sanborn, whose health had been 
failing, gave up the chair of English literature. His letter of 
resignation displayed the simplicity and directness of the man. 

Boston, Dec. 5, 1881. 
To THE President and Trustees of Dartmouth College: 

Gentlemen: — For several years I have been struggling with what, now, 
seems to be a mortal disease, attempting to rise above insurmountable obsta- 
cles, hoping against hope, that I might, for a little longer time, discharge, 
acceptably, the duties of my profession; but old age and sickness have pre- 
vailed against me, have robbed me of my strength and courage and left me 
worn out and exhausted in body, mind and estate. I, therefore, resign into 
your hands my professorship of "Anglo Saxon and English Language and 
Literature," which your partiality conferred upon me two years ago, this 
resignation to take effect immediately, or at any moment before the close 
of the present college year, when you may think that the interests of the 
College may require my chair to be filled. Grateful for your generosity and 
kindness in the past I remain. 

Your obedient servant, 

Edwin D. Sanborn. 

Professor Sanborn had given the best years of his life to the 
College with a return that alloAved him to make no adequate 
provision for his age. Several of his friends and former students, 
knowing this, took it upon themselves to make some provision 
for his remaining years and assured him a fund of $500 a year.^ 
His successor was Charles F. Richardson, a graduate of the 
class of 1871, who since graduation had been engaged in journal- 
istic and literary work, and who cam.e to the college in the fall 
of 1882. 

Professor Sanborn's resignation was followed by that of 
Professor Noyes in 1883, who likewise resigned under the stress 
of physical infirmity. To both was given the title of Professor 
emeritus. Professor Noyes was followed by the Rev. Gabriel 

1 The movement was begun by E. A. Rollins of Philadelphia, with whom were associated 
James F. Joy of Detroit, Edward Tuck and Levi P. Morton of New York, and Hutchins and 
Wheeler of Boston. 



442 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xiv. 

Campbell, a graduate of Michigan University and then professor 
in Bowdoin College. 

In this year Professor Hubbard also withdrew from active 
service in the Medical College. His connection with the College, 
beginning in 1836 and thus covering forty-seven years of actual 
teaching, although in different departments, exceeded in dura- 
tion that of any other person in the history of the College, 
and his name, continuing in the catalogue as "professor emeritus 
in the Medical College" till his death in 1900, appears in the list 
of the Faculty for sixty-four successive years, an unexampled 
record. 

The year 1885 was made memorable in the necrology' of the 
College by the deaths of Professors Brown, Noyes and Sanborn, 
within a few weeks of each other. Dr. Brown died in Utica, 
N. Y., November 4, Dr. Noyes in Chester, N. H., December 
22, and Dr. Sanborn in New York City, December 29. All 
were buried in Hanover, within the sound of the college bell 
whose summons they had so long and so loyally obeyed. They 
were all graduates of the College, Drs. Noyes and Sanborn 
being classmates, and Dr. Brown being one year earlier. They 
were men of very different characteristics, but united in love 
of the College, to whose ser\dce they had given the greater part, 
or nearly all, of their effective manhood. Dr. Brown was a 
man of scholarly tastes and wide attainments, refined and 
courteous, lacking in ease of social intercourse and finding it 
easier to express his thoughts with his pen than in conversation. 
He had a pleasing and effective style in writing, but in the class- 
room impressed his students with the extent of his scholarship 
rather than stimulated them by it. Dr. Noyes, who came to 
the College after a twelve years' pastorate, was more effective 
as a teacher in his later chair of philosophy than in his earlier 
one of ethics. He had no fondness for casuistry and subtle 
distinctions, but he had the gift of clear statement and was 
more confident in matters of intellect than in questions of 
conscience. He was naturally religious and though without 
the forceful nature of an instinctive leader and with a kind of 
timidity of action, he held firmly to what he believed was right, 
and made a strong impression on the students by his sympathetic 
sincerity. 

Of the three, Dr. Sanborn produced by far the strongest 
impression upon the College. He had a forceful nature, that 
carried the enthusiasm of a boy into whatever pleased and 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 443 

interested him as a man, great powers of acquisition, a capacious 
and retentive memory, ready humor and the ability to command 
and express in entertaining form his store of knowledge. His 
mode of thought, in which the impulsive outweighed the critical, 
was discursive, and he gave frank expression to his feelings^ 
but rarely with offence. He never shrank from any task that 
he felt was his duty or spared himself in its execution. In 
person he was large and active with a corresponding physical 
and mental energy, and in his earlier years the combination of 
his mental and physical characteristics, with its suggestion of 
power, gained for him the nickname of "Bully." It clung to 
him throughout his connection with the College, but in later 
years, at least, it was wholly complimentary and expressed 
only the admiration and even affection of the students. During 
nearly all of President Smith's administration and the opening 
years of Dr. Bartlett's, Professors Noyes and Sanborn, as senior 
members of the Faculty, exercised a leading influence in its 
counsels. 

In 1885 the Parker professorship of law and political science 
was first filled by the appointment of James F. Colby of the 
class of 1872, a practicing lawyer in New Haven, Conn., and an 
instructor in international law in Yale Law School. In 1886 
the Rev. Marvin D. Bisbee, of the class of 1871 and previously 
connected with the editorial department of the Congregationalist, 
was appointed Librarian, in place of Professor Pollens who was 
made professor of French and German. The same year the 
College suffered the loss of Associate Professor Wright, who 
went to Johns Hopkins University as professor of classical 
philology, and after a year there became professor of Greek 
in Harvard University. The work of the Greek department 
was filled out by tutors for some years till in 1891 Mr. George 
D. Lord, who had been tutor, was raised to the position of 
assistant professor, at the same time that Arthur Fairbanks 
received a similar appointment in German. 

In December of 1891, Professor Parker gave up the chair of 
Latin. He had never fully recovered from the effects of an 

» His frank outspokenness may be illustrated by two incidents. In a prayer meeting in which 
the subject was "Growing in Grace," he rose when the minister had finished speaking, and 
turning to the audience said: "I don't know much about this growing in grace. I don't see 
that I have grown in grace in the last ten years, and I don't see that any of you have either." 

Rushes at night were forbidden, but, one occurring, the writer went out and broke it up 
At the next Faculty meeting when the matter was under discussion. Professor Sanborn spoke 
approvingly of breaking up the rush and said. "Mr. Lord did just what I did when I was a 
young man — big fool that I was!" 



444 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIV. 

accident which he met in 1883, when a chimney fell on him as 
he was aiding in fighting a fire, and his health was gradually 
giving way. His withdrawal removed from the College one 
who had endeared himself to every student who came under 
him. His kindly sympathy and gracious bearing, coupled with 
a readiness to help those in distress, in addition to his literary 
tastes, gave him a strong influence over the students with whom 
he came in contact, and led them to regard him as a friend, 
and in his manner as the model of a gentleman.^ His associate 
in the department, John K. Lord, was promoted to the vacant 
chair. 

In 1890 the College sustained a severe loss in the death of 
its Treasurer, Frederick Chase, who died on the 19th of January. 
An attack of grippe found him in a weakened state caused by 
the unremitting ardor with which, in addition to his duties 
as Treasurer and Judge of Probate, he had devoted himself 
to the writing of the history of the College. He had been inde- 
fatigable in the examination of all sources of information, and 
in his eagerness had overtaxed his strength. The history, of 
which he had completed the first volume, is his memorial. He 
was succeeded by Mr. Charles P. Chase, at first by temporary, 
and on March 17, 1890, by permanent appointment. 

The fire in which Professor Parker was injured was one of two 
disastrous fires that occurred in the village during the eighties. 
It began in the forenoon of Saturday, May 5, in a barn on the 
south side of Lebanon Street, where some children were playing 
with matches, and spread at once to a large building on the 
southeast corner of Lebanon and College Streets. It was while 
attempting to save a little house just below this building that 
Professor Parker was struck by a falling chimney and sustained, 
injuries that were nearly fatal. A strong wind from the south- 
east carried the fire directly toward the village, and the utmost 
efforts were made to prevent its crossing Lebanon Street. The 
opera house was saved with very great difficulty, but the fire, 
leaping College Street, burned everything on the south side of 
Lebanon Street as far as the brick house on the corner of Main 
Street, and at one time gained a hold on a house on the north 
side of Lebanon Street. On the fate of that building depended 
that of the whole west side of the village, and just as it seemed 
impossible to save it, the arrival of a company and engine from 

'After his resignation Professor Parker removed to Boston, where he died at the home of 
his daughter, November 7. 1896. 




DARTMOITH HOTEL, 1826. 




DARTMOUTH HOTEL, 1866. 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 445 

Lebanon gave sufficient addition to local efforts to check the 
fire and protect the village. Several houses caught fire from 
flying sparks, but in each case the fire was extinguished in time. 
The aid of the students was the only thing that made it possible 
to hold the fire till the coming of the Lebanon company. Thir- 
teen buildings were destroyed and twenty families thrown out 
of home. The loss of property was not as great as might be 
expected, being about $25,000, since most of the buildings 
burned were old or of inferior construction. 

Four years later a second and much more serious fire occurred 
in vacation, on the morning of Tuesday, January 4, 1887. It 
began in the Dartmouth Hotel, which stood on the site of the 
present Hanover Inn, and had two parts, one of brick and one 
of wood. The fire started in the wooden part, probably from 
a defective chimney, and was first noticed about two o'clock 
by Mr. D. B. Currier who lived in a house immediately adjoining. 
An alarm was given and the available force of the village at once 
gathered, but it was insufficient to prevent the spread of the 
fire. Mr. Currier's house was of course doomed, and soon the 
two wooden buildings to the south of the hotel took fire. Next 
beyond these buildings, and separated from them by an alley 
about twelve feet wide, was a large brick structure, three stories 
high, known as the Tontine, which sheltered most of the stores 
of the village and the halls of several fraternities. It was 
hoped that its brick wall might withstand the fire, but it had a 
wooden jut, against which the flames from the adjoining building 
were thrown by an iron roof that prevented them from rising 
directly upward, and it was soon on fire. 

With this building the fire was stayed. Lebanon again sent 
to the assistance of the village, by special train, an engine and 
company, and they came at a critical time, just as it was at- 
tempted to hold the fire at the south wall of the Tontine. This 
wall stood through the fire and served as a screen to protect the 
adjoining wooden building, and the extra amount of water 
that was thrown upon the flam.es by the Lebanon company 
prevented their further advance. 

The night was one of the coldest of the winter, with a tem- 
perature of more than twenty degrees below zero in some parts 
of the village, perfectly clear and without a breath of wind. 
When the flames broke through a roof they rushed upward 
like fountains, carrying myriads of sparks and glowing cinders 
that rose till their weight became too great for the upward force 



446 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xiv. 

of the heated air, when they fell back into the glowing furnace 
only to be thrown up again and again till they were consumed. 
The stillness of the night was the salvation of the village, for, 
in the absence of the students, it would have been impossible 
to attend to other fires that might have been kindled by sparks 
carried by a wind. 

By nine o'clock in the morning the fire was under control 
and the chief corner of the village a smoking ruin. The loss 
in buildings, furniture and tradesmen's stocks was estimated 
at $56,000. Six fraternities, Psi Upsilon, Delta Kappa Epsilon, 
Phi Delta Theta, Phi Zeta Mu, Vitruvian, and Sphinx, were 
rendered homeless; eight stores were burned besides the post 
office, a restaurant, a billiard room, a book bindery and an 
upholsterer's. The buildings burned were among the land- 
marks of the village. Mr. Currier's house was one of the oldest, 
having been built by Dr. John Crane, the first physician of the 
town, in 1773. Two of the most stately elms of the village, 
that stood in front of the house, were destroyed with it. The 
hotel that was burned was not the original one on that site, 
for that had been moved away in 1813 and for a century stood 
on the northeast corner of Main and Lebanon Streets till it 
was torn down in April, 1913, to give room for a bank building, 
but was the brick structure erected in that year, to replace the 
one moved away and afterward frequently enlarged. The 
Tontine, "a name probably adopted, without any regard to 
its special significance, in imitation of some large building in 
Connecticut, familiar to the builder," Lemuel Davenport, who 
built the medical college in 181 1 for Dr. Nathan Smith, was, 
like the hotel, erected in 1813. From its great size, one hundred 
and forty feet long, forty feet wide and four stories high, it 
proved a losing venture for several successive owners, and at 
one time could neither be sold nor given away, but during the 
seventy-four years of its existence it had sheltered the chief 
part of the business of the village.^ 

As is often the case, this fire worked to the ultimate advantage 
of the village, since in place of the old and generally unattractive 
buildings better ones were erected. The owners of the Tontine, 
Messrs. Bridgman and Currier, replaced it with a building of 
a more attractive appearance and a more serviceable plan. 
The buildings next to it were also an improvement on those 

' The Dartmouth. February 4, 1887, an article on the history of the burned buildings by Fred- 
erick Chase. 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 447 

that had been burned. As the owner of the hotel was a non- 
resident and did not care to rebuild, the question of hotel 
accommodations became of pressing importance for the College. 
There was no place at which the alumni and guests of the College 
or even the Trustees could be entertained at Commencement 
or at other times of interest. There was a small house, which, 
after the burning of the Dartmouth Hotel, took that name, but 
it was not one on which the College could rely. 

Immediately after the fire the Trustees took measures to secure 
the corner lot, on which the hotel had stood, and to prevent 
its falling into unfriendly hands bought it for $5,000. The 
adjoining lot of Mr. Currier they were not successful in securing 
till a later time. They did not then contemplate building a 
hotel, but after waiting a year in the hope that some private 
persons might undertake the enterprise, they felt that the lack 
of a place of suitable entertainment was a growing injury to 
the College, and after much deliberation, in March of 1888, 
they voted to build a hotel at a cost not exceeding $25,000. 
Messrs. Fairbanks, Hitchcock and Prescott were appointed a 
building committee, who engaged as architect Mr. Lambert 
Packard of St. Johnsbury, Vt. His plans were approved and 
the contract for the building was let to W. J. Bray, also of St. 
Johnsbury, for $22,500. The structure was of brick with red 
sandstone trimmings, and had accommodations for about one 
hundred guests. Work was begun in May, 1888, and the hotel 
was ready for occupancy by Commencement of the next year. 

The cost, perhaps not unnaturally, exceeded the estimate and, 
including the furnishing but not the land, was a little over 
$37,500- Of this sum $34,000 were taken from the Hallgarten 
bequest and the balance from other funds. Some defects in 
construction necessitated repairs within a year, and the general 
plan of the house proved so unsatisfactory that in 1902 repairs and 
a rearrangement were undertaken on such an extensive scale that 
their cost exceeded the original cost of the building. The house 
was called "The Wheelock " and for several years it was run, some- 
times by a lessee and sometimes by a manager for the College, 
rarely to the satisfaction of the public, and usually with loss to 
the College. Since the alterations in 1902, when the name 
was changed to "Hanover Inn," the College has assumed its 
direction through a manager whom it employs at a salary, 
and has thereby obtained a well appointed house and a rea- 



448 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIV. 

sonable return upon a capitalization representing the later 
expenditures. 

The construction of the hotel was soon followed by that of 
a building for the Young Men's Christian Association, for which 
President Bartlett had for some time been earnestly working. 
The existing quarters of the Association in Thornton Hall were 
very inadequate and the President felt that its work and influ- 
ence could not be properly extended without a home of its own. 
In the summer of 1888 he presented the matter to the Trustees, 
who voted that it was expedient to have such a building, and 
proposed to devote to it, if additional funds could be raised, 
the "accumulations from the Moor fund and the future income, 
so far as needed" and to call it "Moor Hall," and they even 
went so far as to select as a site for it the north end of the Rood 
house lot, ncH: less than 140 feet from the south line. 

The object again coming up at a meeting in November 
the Trustees still further appropriated the unassigned Fletcher 
prize, the $2,000 insurance received for South Hall and $2,100 
to be borrowed, and repaid by six years rent of the Moor's School 
building paid by the Chandler School. As there was some 
doubt whether these funds could be used for this purpose, the 
question was referred to Judge Veazey and Judge Smith, whose 
report was adverse to such use, and at the annual meeting of 
the Trustees in 1889 the vote of appropriation was rescinded 
and the site abandoned. The President, however, had been 
earnest in his efforts to secure subscriptions from individuals, 
and on presenting the subject to the General Association of 
the Congregational churches of the State at its annual meeting 
at Derry in October, 1888, had gained the support of that body, 
with an immediate subscription of $500, and the assurance of 
contributions in various churches. In this work he had an able 
assistant in Professor Bisbee, who was equally interested in the 
cause, and pushed it on in the absence of the President, which 
soon after was rendered desirable by the health of Mrs. Bartlett. 
A six months' leave of absence, beginning with the close of the 
first term in December of 1888, was occupied by a trip to Cal- 
ifornia, from which he returned in the following June, when 
the student body expressed its pleasure at his return by meeting 
him at the station and escorting him to his house. During his 
absence Professor Parker had officiated in the place of the 
President. 

On his return the President renewed his efforts for the Chris- 



1 877-1 892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 449 

tian Association building with such success that in the spring 
of 1890 he brought the matter again before the Trustees, who 
voted that when $9,000 had been paid into the college treasury 
for such a building they would appropriate for it $5,000, the 
bequest of Micajah C. Burleigh, and $1,000 additional, pro- 
vided the whole cost should not exceed $14,500, except as addi- 
tional gifts might enlarge the amount. The required sum having 
been raised, work was begun at once and the corner stone was 
laid on the afternoon of Wednesday of Commencement week, 
June 25.1 

The architect of the building was the same as of the hotel, 
and the builders were Mead and Mason of Concord, N. H. 
After considerable questioning as to a site, and the consideration 
of one offered by the Trustees of the Agricultural College on the 
south side of Wheelock Street, the present one on the north side 
of the same street was chosen. Although the interior was far 
from complete the building was dedicated on June 24, 1891, 
and in honor of President Bartlett, to whose exertions it was 
so largely due, it was named by the Trustees, "Bartlett Hall." 
The cost of the building and its equipment was just under 
$17,000, which was met by subscriptions above the appropria- 
tion of the Trustees. 

It was during this period that the College began that process 
of acquisition that has brought into its possession almost all 
the property around and immediately north of the Green. 
Four houses were then secured either by purchase or gift. For 
several years the President had urged upon the Trustees for 
various reasons the importance of their buying a "president's 
house." At first he desired to secure the house now occupied 
by the Howe Library', a house peculiarly appropriate for such a 
purpose, as it was built and occupied by the first Wheelock, 
and Mr. Billings of Woodstock, of the Wheelock kin, was ready 
to purchase it for the College, but it was not for sale, and after 
the consideration of several houses the Trustees bought for 
the use of the President, for $9,500, the home of Dr. Noyes. 
The house then stood on Main Street on the present lawn between 

iThe programme consisted of: i, Invocation by Rev. George W. Patterson of the class of 
18S1; 2, Statement by Rev. Henry FairbanliS, chairman of the building committee; 3, Address 
by Rev. John M. Dutton, for the churches and contributors; 4, Address by Hon. Dexter Rich- 
ards for the Christian business men; 5, Response by W. E. Reed for the Young Men's Chris- 
tian Association; 6, Recital of the apostles' creed; 7. Laying of the comer stone and address 
by President Bartlett for the Trustees of the College; 8, Hymn; 9, Prayer by Rev. Henry 
E. Parker, D.D.; 10, Benediction by Rev. Edward Slafter of the class of 1840. 



450 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIV. 

the Crosby House and the tri-Kappa house but was afterward 
removed and now opens on Webster Avenue. 

On the site of Webster Hall there then stood a large white 
wooden house, known as the "Rood House." The College had 
long desired it, but had not the means to purchase it. In the 
fall of 1885, however, Mr. L. P. Morton of New York City, 
formerly a merchant in Hanover in the old Tontine, at the request 
of the President bought the house for $7,250 and gave it to the 
College. The house remained on the spot till it was torn down 
in 1900 to give place to Webster Hall. Two houses were also 
purchased which were afterward enlarged and made into dor- 
mitories. The old homestead of Dr. Dixi Crosby, still called 
the "Crosby House," was purchased in 1884, and the residence 
of Professor Sanborn, now "Sanborn Hall" similarly came into 
the possession of the College in 1887. 

The title of the College to the Green was called in question 
in the fall of 1884 by an attempt, under the leadership of Mr. 
D. B. Currier, to erect a band stand on its southwest corner, 
under a claim that it was the property of the public. "The fact 
of title is," wrote the Treasurer of the College to Judge Chase, 
"that the fee came to the College by grant from the Province 
in 1 77 1, by prior deed from Penning Wentworth and has never 
been alienated."^ A temporary injunction was obtained, which 
was continued by Judge Blodgett, sitting at Haverhill, in October. 

The college park had received no attention since the gift of 
Judge Parker. The trees which he had given had grown into 
a veritable thicket, concealing the natural beauties of the place. 
The College had not any money to spend upon it, but President 
Bartlett suggested the idea, which was w^orked out by Professors 
Fletcher and Hardy into a plan, of beautifying it by the opening 
of a winding road and intersecting paths, with rustic bridges 
over ravines, with seats and benches here and there, and occa- 
sional summer houses. For the building of these he enlisted the 
co-operation of the students, proposing that they should do the 
work if the College should furnish implements. Wednesday and 
Saturday afternooons were half holidays, and he asked for vol- 
unteers for work in the park at those times. It was not expected 
that every volunteer would work at every opportunity, but by 
dividing the volunteers into squads of fifty or more, no one's turn 
would come oftener than once in two weeks. 

The students took kindly to the idea, and "park" and "co- 

« See Vol. I, p. 147. 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 451 

operation" became words of jest and interest. Work was begun 
in the fall of 1879 under the direction of different members of 
the Faculty, though the general oversight of the work was in 
charge of Professor Hardy. The difficulty of clearing the under- 
brush, of trimming trees, of handling shovels and hoes in making 
roads and paths was attested by many an aching back and 
blistered hand, but the pluck of the students was sufficient 
and by the close of the season a large part of the plan was com- 
pleted. The roads that now exist were then made, but of the 
paths, then made or begun, several have been overgrown. Two 
rustic bridges were built, many benches placed and an iron 
summer house, secured by Professor Hardy, was placed on the 
ledge that crowns the western summit. The wooden house on 
the eastern summit was built at a later time by the college 
carpenter. It was not to be expected that such labor of love 
should continue indefinitely, but in lessening amount it was 
prolonged for four years till the park was well cleared and made 
attractive to visitors. In 1882 there was constructed in the 
hollow between the two summits near the old "freshman gallows" 
a "bema," at which part of the exercises of class day have since 
been held, and near by is a grotto made under the direction 
of President Bartlett, partly excavated in the precipitous ledge 
of the hillside and partly roofed with slabs of stone. 

In connection with the development of the park another pro- 
posal of President Bartlett for its adornment was put into effect. 
The old pine that crowned the summit of Observatory Hill, 
about which gathered traditions of Indian students, and at whose 
foot the farewell pipe was smoked by each graduating class at 
the conclusion of the class-day exercises, was showing signs of 
age,^ and in anticipation of its decay the President suggested 
that a tower of a mediaeval pattern be erected not far from it. 
The senior class of 1885 took up the suggestion and laid the 
foundations for a tov/er. Successive classes continued the 
work, adding section to section, indicated in the outer wall 
by the numerals of the classes, till the topmost section was 
added by the class of 1895. The conical roof, which brought 
the tower to the height of seventy-one feet, and also the circular 
stairway were put up by the College. The tov/er commands 
a beautiful view of Hanover and the surrounding country with 
the valley of the Connecticut from Ascutney to Cube. 

1 This pine was struck by lightning July 28, 1887; its largest branches were broken in a gale 
June 14, 1892, and after this it rapidly decayed and was cut down in 1895. See The Dart- 
mouth for May 3, 1895, p. 249. 



452 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIV. 

In the attention given to aesthetics the practical was not 
neglected. In 1879 a shop was built for the college carpenter 
on the ground now occupied by the tennis courts north of Culver 
and east of Faycrweather Halls. It was provided with a small 
steam engine for power, and enabled the College to do profitably 
much of its own work, for which it had before been dependent 
on others. The sidewalks of the village had for a long time, 
especially in the spring, been the object of extreme and deserved 
reproach. Being made only of dirt they were pleasant enough 
in dry weather, but were disagreeable when wet and in the 
spring were almost impassable except by those wearing rubber 
boots. The w^alk of tar concrete was introduced in the summer 
of 1886 by Mr. Jospeh Emerson, who occupied the present 
Casque and Gauntlet house. His example was followed by 
others with great rapidity, though the burning of some of the 
tar after the opening of the fall term nearly put a stop to the 
work. In the next year the College put the concrete in front 
and on the south of its yard, and in 1890 introduced it into 
the yard itself. 

The development of athletics was m.aking evident the insuffi- 
ciency of the gymnasium for the practice of the track and base- 
ball teams. To meet the lack a building, known as the "Cage," 
was built in 1888 on a lot occupied by the present Sanborn 
Hall purchased by the Trustees for the purpose. The $3,000 
necessary for the building were raised by subscription among 
the students and their friends. At the same time a running 
track was constructed in the gymnasium for the track team. 

Among the improvements of the time was one in which the 
College and the village shared, the renovation of the church 
edifice. Extensive changes had been made in it in 1877, begun 
in the interval between President Smith and President Bartlett. 
At that time the building had been lengthened by an addition 
of eleven feet on the north, the galleries had been lowered two 
feet, the south gallery narrowed three feet, the organ removed 
from the gallery to the floor and other changes made, all at an 
expense of about $4,000, of which the College contributed $1,500. 

In 1889 another movement for the improvement of the build- 
ing was undertaken by the citizens of the village, and while they 
were preparing plans for it Mr. Hiram Hitchcock consulted 
his friend, the well known architect, Stanford S. White, of the 
-firm of McKim, Mead and White of New York, who oflfered 
to advise in the remodelling of the church. His advice was 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 453 

gladly accepted and the present beautiful interior, one of the 
finest specimens of old colonial architecture in the country, is 
due to his suggestion. An extension of twelve feet in the rear 
was added, giving a pulpit recess, an organ room and a pastor's 
room, the upper tier of windows, formerly close under the eaves, 
was lowered, the "blind" windows, half of the whole number, 
were removed, the vestibule improved, and the whole interior 
finished and decorated richly but with simplicity. The whole 
scheme of decoration, as well as the design of the pulpit, was 
made by Mr. White. ^ A subscription of about $1,800 raised in 
the village, and $500 paid by the College were turned over to 
Mr. Hitchcock, who met all the expenses of the work above this 
sum, which amounted to over $6,000, and, in addition, Mr. 
Hitchcock presented the church with a large and fine organ. 

The affairs of the Agricultural College during this period 
were not wholly satisfactory. Dr. Bartlett, though a member 
of the Board from 1878 and President of the Faculty from 1880, 
was not made President of the College, that position being held 
by Judge Nesmith. This fact undoubtedly relieved Dr. Bart- 
lett of considerable labor, but in view of the relation which 
President Smith had held to the Agricultural College, the situa- 
tion was somewhat anomalous, and was so considered by Dr. 
Bartlett. But the College gained in its resources. Between 
1880 and 1 89 1 its Faculty increased from six to twelve members, 
the increase being partly due to the establishment in 1888 by 
the United States government of an agricultural experiment 
station in connection with the College at an annual expense of 
$15,000, for which a suitable building was erected in 1888. 

In students, however, it made no gain after 1880, when it 
had a maximum of forty-two, nor did it gain in popular interest. 
Among the farmers of the State considerable dissatisfaction 
existed with its progress, so that a joint resolution of the Legis- 
lature, approved on August 29, 1885, after reciting the fact 
that in almost twenty years the College "had graduated less 
than forty agricultural students," authorized the appointment 
by the Governor and Council of a committee of three to investi- 
gate the propriety of removing the College from Hanover. 

This committee, consisting of Joseph B. Walker, Greenleaf 
Clarke and Warren F. Daniel, made an extended report to the 
Legislature of 1887. It found that the reasons for removal, 

1 Addresses at the reopening of the College church in Hanover, October 26, 1889. 



454 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xiv. 

urged largely by the State Grange, were ^ the failure of the College 
to accomplish more, the "want of centrality" in the location of 
the College, the overshadowing effect of older and larger insti- 
tutions, the inability of students "comparatively few in number, 
and working on agricultural and mechanical lines, to live har- 
moniously with far more numerous bodies whose studies lie 
largely in other directions," the fact that the management of 
the College had been mostly "in the control of persons having 
but little interest in agricultural pursuits," and that its removal 
from Hanover would quiet these objections, "leave the insti- 
tution more fully in control of the class it was founded to benefit, 
and elevate it to a higher plane of usefulness." 

The report, which carefully considered these reasons and 
reached the conclusion that the removal of the College would 
not inure to its benefit but rather to its serious injury, was 
made to the Legislature in 1887, and for the time being laid 
the question of removal, but three years later it was revived 
with irresistible force by a large bequest to the State for the 
benefit of an agricultural college. Benjamin Thompson, a 
resident of Durham, died January 30, 1890, leaving to the State 
property appraised at $408,220.71, including a farm valued at 
$18,300. The bequest was conditioned on its acceptance by 
the State within two years, on the guaranty of the perpetual 
security of the principal, and of its increase by interest on the 
personal property compounded at 4 per cent, for twenty 3'ears, 
together with the addition of an annual appropriation of $3,000 
similarly compounded. The college to be established was to 
be erected upon his farm in Durham. 

It being found that the income of the estate was sufficient to 
meet the requirement of the interest and the annual appropria- 
tion, the State accepted the gift with its conditions^ in March, 
and in April following appropriated $100,000 for buildings, 
to which $35,000 were added three years later. This action 
carried with it of necessity the withdrawal of the College from 
Hanover, and by an act, passed April 10, 1891, the connection 
with Dartmouth College was dissolved and the required notice 
of one year was given to its Trustees of the termination of the 
contract with them. As the new buildings at Durham were 
not ready till 1893 the session of 1892-1893 was held at Hanover, 
but with a naturally diminished attendance in view of the break. 

•Seventeenth .-Vnnual Report of the Board of Agriculture of N'ew Hampshire, i8S8, p. 283 
and p. 264. 

2N. H. Reports, 1S91, \'oI. II, pp. 559-563- 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 455 

In accordance with the contract made at the erection of Culver 
Hall, the State, on withdrawing, requested the Dartmouth 
Trustees to repay the $15,000 which it had contributed toward 
the building, but a more generous spirit prevailed, and in March, 
1893, the Legislature relinquished to the College the claim for 
the money and also its title to the Hall. 

The Agricultural College naturally wished to dispose of its 
property in Hanover, that it might apply the proceeds toward 
the erection of its new buildings at Durham, and after consider- 
able amicable discussion offered to the Dartmouth Trustees 
at a reasonable price that portion which was desirable for them. 
Conant Hall was almost valueless to any purchaser except 
Dartm.outh College, and was not such a building as the College 
needed, or would have built, if a building were needed, but it 
was of some value, and the lot on which it stood and the adjoin- 
ing tract were very important for the College. An agreement 
was, therefore, reached by which the Agricultural College sold 
to Dartmouth for $15,000 all of its real estate, including Conant 
Hall, situated west of Park Street and south of Wheelock Street, 
reserving only the right of occupancy till it should transfer to 
Durham, but paying interest as long as it should remain. The 
part of the purchase lying between Crosby and Park Streets, 
that is now partially occupied by the gymnasium and the athletic 
field, was estimated at $5,000. 

The experiment station was sold, as was told on a previous 
page, to the Thayer School, and the large farm to private parties. 
The last exercises of the Agricultural College in Hanover were 
held in June, 1893, and its next year began on the 7th of Sep- 
tember following at Durham, where it has since enjoyed a 
successful development. 

During the later years of President Bartlett's administration 
the question of alumni representation, which had received a 
temporary settlement in 1876, cam^e again to the front. Accord- 
ing to the arrangement then made, the Trustees nominated by 
the alumni had an unlimited tenure of office, and the alumni 
soon began to feel that such representation was not enough. 
They did not find fault with the representatives who had been 
chosen, but they wished a method of closer touch, one by which 
they could express their views each year with the authority of 
a direct commission. 

The alumni associations of Washington and Chicago first 
took up the matter at their midwinter meetings, passing reso- 



456 ' History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xiv. 

lutions which were laid before the annual meeting of the General 
Association in June, 1885. After discussion, this association 
declared its "belief that the graduates, within the limit of the 
charter, should be allowed an increased voice in the selection 
of a certain part of the Trustees," and appointed a committee 
of seven ^ to confer with the Trustees and if possible to arrange 
a clear and well defined method of making such selection. 

At the next annual meeting of the association the committee 
presented a printed report, agreed to by a majority of its members, 
in which, after describing the existing arrangem.ent, it gave as 
its opinion that "under the charter the Trustees cannot divest 
themselves of the duty and responsibility of filling vacancies" 
that might occur in their number. But in order to bring the 
wishes of the graduates properly before the Trustees it proposed 
a " Board of Councillors," fifteen in number, elected by the alumni 
in such a way that three should retire each year after a service 
of five 3' ears. The duty of this board was to be, "to attend by 
its committees the regular examinations, to examine the course 
of study, the methods of instruction and administration, the 
financial condition and needs of the college, and to confer with 
the president and trustees, whenever they think it desirable, 
upon all these matters and upon the appointment of professors, 
instructors and tutors, and to make a report annually in print 
to the alumni." 

A diversity of feeling among the alumni was indicated at this 
meeting by resolutions presented by two associations. That of 
New York sent an earnest commendation of the movement, and 
that of the northwest at St. Paul gave as the opinion of the 
association that it was "inexpedient to attempt any action 
providing for a representation of the alumni upon the Board 
of Trustees." 

The proposition of the committee, which was but an enlarge- 
ment of the one made in 1870 by President Smith, was not 
favorably received and after much discussion it was referred 
back to the committee without instructions. The committee 
itself was not enthusiastic in its support, and in the following 
April addressed a letter to the Trustees in which it said that it 
did not know that a majority of the alumni was in favor of the 
plan, or would adopt it even if the Trustees approved it, and 
that unless both alumni and Trustees cordially favored it, the 

»The committee consisted of Messrs. W. A. Field, C. H. Bell, H. Russell, W. L. Burnap. 
S. W. McCall, E. D. Redington and H. L. Moore. Record of the General Association. 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 457 

plan would probably die of inanition, adding that the committee 
did not see "that any great harm would come of this, and the 
experiment might be instructive." 

The opinion of the Trustees was asked upon the proposal, 
but no meeting was held till Commencement in June, 1887, 
when a member of the committee appeared before the Board, 
to present the matter in person. On the next day a very dip- 
lomatic reply was delivered, to the effect that the Board had a 
natural hesitancy in considering plans which the alumni had not 
yet sanctioned, and that it was a matter calling for much time 
and labor. The reply congratulated the alumni on the pros- 
perity of the College, but it had a Catoesque ending in the 
phrase: "half a million dollars could be speedily used to the best 
advantage. " The alumni in their meeting postponed the matter 
till the next year. 

At the Commencement of 1888 the matter again was discussed 
and a committee of three was appointed to confer with the 
Trustees to ascertain if they had been able to consider the pro- 
posal of the committee and whether or not it met their approval. 
If they had not considered it, the alumni asked the Trustees 
to appoint a committee of conference. The Trustees, not as 
yet being "convinced of the feasibility of a plan so compli- 
cated," appointed the President, Dr. Quint and Judge Smith 
a committee of conference as requested. The alumni committee 
was composed of Judges W. A. Field and L. W. Clark and Mr. 
E. C. Carrigan. The report was then laid on the table till 
the next year, at which time the committee reported to the 
alumni that it had had two conferences with the committee of 
the Trustees without result, that the matter had been referred 
to sub-committees which had been unable to agree upon any 
plan, and that no suggestions had been received from the Trus- 
tees. Much discussion but no action followed upon this report 
and the matter was left for another year in the hands of the 
committee. 

Meantime the feeling among the alumni was becoming more 
urgent and the Board was not insensible to it, but neither party 
was able to suggest a plan wholly satisfactory to the other. 
The alumni desired a more immediate representation; the Board 
hesitated to go beyond what it had already given, except in 
the way of advisers that might have influence but not authority. 
Each was trying to bring the alumni and the College into closer 
relations, but the alumni, claiming representation as a right 



458 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIV. 

or at least as a privilege, wished that it be granted before they 
did anything further, while the Board laid stress upon the needs 
of the College and wished assurance of help as an advance proof 
of the interest of the alumni. 

On the first day of January, 1890, the Trustees addressed a 
letter to the several alumni associations setting forth the general 
plans and aims of the Trustees and the more pressing needs of 
the College and asking the alumni to join the Trustees in indi- 
vidual and organized effort to make these plans effective. They 
also asked each association to send a representative to inspect 
the College during the examinations, to examine into its needs 
and to confer with the Trustees and aid them in bringing the 
alumni into closer practical relations with the College. As a 
kind of answer to this the Boston Association at its January 
meeting passed a resolution calling for direct representation. 

This resolution was presented to the general association of 
the alumni at its meeting in June, and their increasing earnest- 
ness was shown in the discussion which followed and which 
resulted in the following resolution: 

Resolved that the alumni deem it most important for the prosperity of the 
College that the Trustees cordially adopt the principle of alumni representa- 
tion and that they provide as soon as may be for the practical embodiment 
of the principle in such form as their wisdom and devotion to the interests 
of the College may suggest. 

While this was under discussion in the general association 
of the alumni a communication was received from the Trustees 
referring to the circular of January i, and asking for a confer- 
ence the following evening with representatives of the associa- 
tions for counsel and advice. A committee of five ^ was appointed, 
which reported the next day, recommending the appointment 
of another committee to confer and co-operate with the Trustees 
in devising a plan for securing to the alumni an active partici- 
pation in the affairs of the College, and to obtain suggestions 
from the alumni associations toward such a plan, The confer- 
ence with the Trustees was a fruitful one, for it resulted in a 
vote by that body reaffirming in substance the vote of 1875 
and for the first time formally committing the Trustees, as 
then constituted, to the opinion that "the alumni should have 
an advisory voice in the management of the College," and in 

1 Messrs. W. L. Burnap, David Cross, A. C. Perkins, J. S. Conner and F. S. Streeter. 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 459 

the appointment of the committee to confer with a Hke committee 
of the alumni.^ 

The two committees met in Boston September 10, 1890, 
when the committee of the Trustees felt authorized to state 
only their belief that the Board would accept the plan proposed 
by Judge Field in 1886. To this plan the committee of the 
alumni expressed itself as unalterably opposed, feeling that the 
proposed Board of Councillors did not put upon the alumni a 
"real, substantial, personal responsibility," and that a mere 
advisory board with no rights and uncertain privileges would 
arouse no active interest. It wished for an "annually recurring 
obligation" that should assure the unity of the graduates with 
the administration of the College. 

The com.mittee was, therefore, requested to put the wishes of 
the alumni in writing and to present them to the committee 
of the Trustees before an adjourned meeting which was set for 
the 8th of November. In response to this request the committee 
made a radical proposition that outran anything that had 
before been suggested, and that was in fact nothing short of 
a revolution in the Board and in the control of the College. 
It proposed that the alumni of five years' standing should be 
invited to recommend a suitable person to fill any vacancy in 
the Board, except those of the Governor and the President, 
that the Board should agree to elect the person thus recom- 
mended, and that each trustee thus elected should hold office 
for ten years. It was also proposed that the charter limitation, 
that eight of the trustees be residents of New Hampshire, should 
be changed by the Legislature, with the consent of the Trustees, 
so that only four need be residents of the State. An alternative 
and less radical plan proposed a change in the charter permitting 
five trustees in addition to the existing twelve, to be nominated 
by the alumni of five years' standing and elected by the Trustees, 
each to hold office for five years, and to be so arranged that one 
vacancy and one election should occur each year. 

The committee of the Trustees, while declaring that it had 
no authority to bind the Trustees, did not favor the first plan 
or the proposition to enlarge the number of non-resident trus- 
tees, but thought the second plan feasible, and was willing to 
support it, if it were slightly modified and if it should be gen- 

1 This committee consisted of Messrs. Quint, Smith and Chase, but as Mr. Chase was unable 
to act with the committee, at his request and that of the other members. Dr. Tucker was invited 
to be his substitute. The committee of the alumni consisted of Messrs. J. B. Richardson, 
G. H. Tucker, W. L. Bumap, F. S. Streeter and J. H. Smith. 



460 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIV. 

erally approved by the alumni. In modification the committee 
suggested that the plan of 1876 be repealed, that the existing 
Board should fill its own vacancies, without the votes of the 
added five except in the election of a president, and that, as 
nothing would be gained by the circuitous method of the alumni 
nominating and the Trustees electing their nominees, the alumni 
should elect directly the five additional members, and further 
that the plan be regarded as an experiment which might be 
terminated at the end of fifteen years by the action of the original 
twelve members of the Board. 

At a meeting of the Trustees held January i, 1891, their 
committee reported that it was satisfied that a new interest 
in the College on the part of the alumni would be created by 
their participation in its management, and that it would be well 
to ascertain the sense of the alumni as to their wish for such 
participation, and whether they approved the plan of the addi- 
tion to the Board of five members directly chosen by themselves. 
The constitutionality of a change in the charter was assumed 
but not discussed. To this report the President offered an 
amendment, widening the scope of the questions to the alumni. 
He proposed to ask whether the alumni preferred to keep the 
existing chartered board intact; if not, whether they wished 
a larger participation than that given by the plan of 1876, and 
whether they would favor a change in the charter. If a change 
in the charter did seem wise, which of these three plans was 
preferred: ist, The increase of the Board by five members 
to be elected directly by the alumni; 2d, The election of three 
trustees on the nomination of the alumni, one for the next 
vacancy in the State and the others for the next two vacancies 
outside the State, the terms of the three to be so arranged that 
one should expire each year; 3d, The election by the alumni 
of an "Advisory Board of Councillors" on the general plan 
proposed in 1886. 

After much discussion the amendment was lost, and the 
proposition of the committee being carried, the committee was 
continued to secure the judgment of the alumni of five years' 
standing upon it. A circular was immediately sent out asking 
the alumni whether in their judgment the welfare of the College 
and the interest of the graduates in it would be increased by 
a change in the existing plan of alumni representation and, if 
such a change were desirable, whether they approved the addi- 



1 877-1 892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 461 

tion of five trustees provided authority could be had, and the 
plan should continue in operation not less than fifteen years. 

The authority for such a change could be had only by a change 
in the charter, of which the legality was questioned, but as the 
circular made no mention of any doubt on the part of the Trus- 
tees, the committee of the alumni not unnaturally took it for 
granted that the Trustees either had no doubt or were willing 
to run the risk, and proceeded at once to secure from the Legis- 
lature then in session the requisite authority. The bill which 
the committee prepared, in conference with some of the Trus- 
tees, and which was enacted without opposition February 18, 
1891, enlarged the corporation by the addition of five members, 
all of whom were required to be graduates of the College and 
at least one a resident of New Hampshire. They were to be 
elected by the alumni for a term of five years, and were to have 
no voice in the choice of the other members of the Board, or in 
any vote having to do with any change in the charter. 

The act was conditioned for its effect on its acceptance by 
the Trustees of the College, and if so accepted was to remain 
in force fifteen years, and afterward for an indefinite period 
if again accepted by the original Board. It was distinctly 
stated in the act that its passage was not to be taken as a claim 
by the State of the right or power of the Legislature to change 
the charter, or its acceptance by the Trustees as an admission 
of such a power. It may be said in passing that the first change 
in the charter since the attempt of 18 15 to establish the Univer- 
sity, was made in 1883 when an act was passed at the June 
session^ and accepted by the Trustees December 20 of that year, 
removing all limitation in the amount of property that the 
College may hold. The act was communicated to the Trustees 
by the committee of the alumni about the last of March and 
the hope expressed that the Trustees would "meet and accept 
the act at as early a date as is conveniently possible." 

Although the Trustees as a body had no part in securing the 
act they did nothing to oppose it, and this fact coupled with 
their circular asking the judgm.ent of the alumni on the desira- 
bility of accepting the plan authorized by it, gave color to the 
belief that they favored it. As might have been expected, 
therefore, the answers of the alumni to the circular were almost 
wholly favorable. 

The Trustees now found themselves in an uncomfortable 

'Laws of 1SS3. ch. 177. 



462 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XIV. 

position. Uncertain of their own counsels they were being 
forced by the votes of the alumni into agreeing to the change 
in the charter against their will, or, if they did not agree to it, 
into a contest with the alumni. Some of them favored the act, 
some were opposed to it, and others were doubtful of its legality, 
and in this doubt they were sustained by some of the ablest 
lawyers of New England. This feeling of the Trustees became 
known directly after the passage of the act, through an article 
written by President Bartlett and published in The Dartmouth 
of February 27, in which he said that, as far as known, no Trustee 
had expressed a definite opinion in the matter, and suggested 
that the alumni should not be misled in voting, by the belief 
that the Trustees desired the change. 

To give still wider information as to the position of the Trus- 
tees the substance of the President's article was issued, as a 
statement to the alumni, and with it went two circulars from 
different groups of the alumni, advising against the change of 
the charter on the grounds of its questionable legality. One of 
these, prepared by Judge Ross of the Supreme Court of Vermont 
and signed by him and seven other prominent alumni, opposed 
any amendment of the charter and presented two plans between 
which the alumni were asked to choose, and, if they had already 
voted in favor of the proposition for five additional trustees, to 
recall that vote. The first plan was the old one of a board of 
councillors and the second provided for the nomination by the 
alumni of four of the ten elective trustees. The latter plan was 
already in successful operation at Williams and other colleges, 
and was known as the Williams plan. 

This move was intended to divide the vote of the alumni 
and was successful in so doing. The board of councillors received 
no support, but so many votes were cast in favor of the Williams 
plan, that the Board was not forced into the dilemma of antag- 
onizing the great body of the alumni or accepting a plan which 
all its members did not approve, as would have been the case 
if the voting had been only in response to the first circular of 
the committee. The committee of the alumni, however, was 
greatly disturbed by this division of sentiment. Its conference 
with the committee of the Trustees, which was in accord with 
its proposition to add five members to the Board, and the later 
action of the Trustees in putting the question before the alumni 
had led it to believe that no opposition would arise from that 
quarter. When, therefore, this check to its plan came from the 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 463 

Board itself the committee was ready to charge bad faith, although 
there never had been any action of the Board to support such 
a charge. 

The dissatisfaction of the committee was a cause of great 
uneasiness to the Trustees. On May 5, Dr. Tucker wrote to 
Judge Chase: 

The situation is awkward and liable to become ugly. The circular sent 
out proposing two other plans is misleading in the impression it gives that 
the action proposed by the Trustees was hasty and ill-advised. Something, 
I think, ought to be done to remove that impression. We don't want a wrangle 
at Commencement. If steps could be taken looking toward a friendly suit 
to determine at once the constitutionality of the act of the Legislature, would 
not the difficulty be averted? By steps toward a friendly suit, I mean an 
understanding between the Trustees and the committee or committees of 
the Alumni that as soon as the act is accepted by the Trustees it should be 
tested by a suit brought by one of the Trustees. 

The proposition for a friendly suit was not approved by all 
the Trustees. President Bartlett, though entirely opposed to 
"meddhng with the charter" wrote :^ "I deprecate to the last 
degree a needless lawsuit, however friendly. It will surely 
rouse bad blood, become a scandal, and, whichever side prevails, 
drive off friends, funds and students. I am perfectly convinced 
that the whole matter can be adjusted to the general satisfaction 
by promptly offering to the alumni to adopt the second [Williams] 
plan." The President did not realize how strong was the feeling 
of the committee of the alumni in favor of its own plan or how 
determined it was to insist upon it, and the final giving way by 
the committee and the acceptance of the Williams plan were 
due to the persistence of another member of the Board. 

This was the Rev. Henry Fairbanks. He was in favor of 
alumni representation, but he was unalterably opposed to a 
change in the charter. He accepted the opinion of Judges 
Ross and Barrett and other prominent lawyers that a change 
could not legally be made, and he further believed that it would 
be morally wrong, on the ground that all gifts to the College 
had been made on the basis of its Trustees being twelve and no 
more, and that a change in the number would be an act of bad 
faith with the donors. A snow blockade on the railroad had 
kept him from attending the meeting of the Trustees in January, 
and he felt free to express by legal action his dissent from a 
possible acceptance of the act of the Legislature, if the Trustees 

'Letter to Judge Chase, May i8, 1891. 



464 History of Dartmotith College. 

should later incline toward it. Though in accord with the 
President in the matter of alumni representation, he disagreed 
with him in regard to a suit, for he felt that in no other way 
could the legality of the proposed change in the charter be 
determined, and he made up his mind to test it, if need be, in 
this way. 

As he was to be absent from the country at the time when 
a decision would be reached he employed counsel to represent 
him before the Board and in conferences with the committee 
of the alumni, and later, if necessary, in bringing suit. Professor 
James F. Colby was retained by him, who further retained 
Judge W. S. Ladd of Lancaster, Harry Bingham of Littleton, 
Charles A. Prouty of Newport, Vt., and Charles F. Mathewson 
of New York City. Judge Ladd died within a few days after 
accepting a retainer, and owing to other engagements and to 
ill health Mr. Bingham took scarcely any part in the case, so 
that its conduct was almost wholly in the hands of the junior 
counsel. 

Mr. Fairbanks sailed for Europe April 22, but before he left 
the country he sent to the Trustees a letter urgently opposing 
the acceptance of the act of February 18 on legal and mioral 
grounds, and requesting to be heard by counsel, whom he had 
retained to present his views, in case the subject should come 
up for consideration before his return. 

The opposition of Mr. Fairbanks to the change in the charter, 
added to the circulars that had been sent out proposing other 
plans, caused much feeling among the alumni in Boston and led 
to an "uncompromising opposition" on their part to any other 
plan than that proposed by their committee, which they came 
to regard as an ultimatum to the Trustees. The situation was 
fast becoming what Dr. Tucker had feared, an "ugly one." 
The Board was not united. Its committee of conference with 
the alumni was in favor of accepting the act of February 18. 
Others, opposing this, preferred a Board of Councillors or fa- 
vored the Williams plan, but were not agreed on its details, 
some wishing to give the alumni four places on the Board, while 
others wished to give but three. Again, some wished to have 
the alumni nominate two candidates for each vacancy so that 
the Board might choose between them, and some felt that if the 
alumni should nominate but one, the Board could not legally 
agree always to elect him, as that would practically be giving 
up their right of choice by disuser. 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 465 

The committee of the alumni, on the other hand, was united 
in insisting on its plan and in opposition to any other. At this 
juncture Mr. Fairbanks's counsel secured conferences with both 
Trustees and committee and were in the end happily able to 
bring about an agreement. On June 6 Messrs. Colby, Prouty 
and Mathewson met the committee (except Mr. G. H. Tucker), 
together with Mr. I. F. Paul, their secretary, and Mr. G. F. 
Williams, their attorney, in Boston and found them in a very 
"belligerent mood," but a working basis was gained by the 
opening statement of Mr. Colby that they did not appear for 
the Trustees, but for Mr. Fairbanks. He represented that Mr. 
Fairbanks "was advised that the act was of doubtful legality, 
that as a friend of the College he planned to test it, that such 
test in the courts must delay alumni representation in any form 
five years, that in that interval a new executive might be elected 
by the existing Board, and that if the committee shared his 
doubts of the legality of the act or his belief that the good of 
the College required them to find some no7i litigious way out of 
the present difficulties and would describe any plan of securing 
alumni representation, which would be presumably free from 
legal objections and capable of immediate adoption and satis- 
factory to their constituency, his counsel would undertake to 
get its immediate and favorable consideration by the Board." 

After a long and frank conference the committee seemed ready 
to accept the Williams plan, provided five places were opened 
to the alumni, and in the absence of its chairman. Judge Richard- 
son, prepared a proposition to that effect. He, however, was 
from beginning to end opposed to any compromise, and under 
his influence the committee later withheld its proposition and 
contented itself with saying that as it had secured the passage 
of the act "at least with the encouragement of the Board" 
and had placed the act before the Board it was not ready to 
say that it was illegal or inexpedient, but if that was the judgment 
of the Board it devolved on it to make such a statement to the 
committee. 

Three days later, at the suggestion of Mr. Streeter, Messrs. 
Colby and Prouty had a conference with five Trustees,^ who 
did not favor accepting the act, but were willing to support 
the Williams plan, and to ask the alumni to accept it. The 
only "rock ahead", as it seemed to Mr. Colby, was the deter- 
mination to insist upon two nominees for each place in order 

1 President Bartlett, and Messrs. Davis, Prescott, Smith and Chase. 
30 



466 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xiv. 

to preserve the spirit of the charter in the matter of choice, 
or to enable the Trustees "with their inside knowledge the better 
to supplement the qualities or experience needed in the Board." 

An informal meeting of the Trustees was called for the next 
Saturday, the 13th, at which, however, only five were present.^ 
Messrs. Colby, Prouty and Mathewson appeared and were 
asked to a conference, but the committee of the alumni did 
not respond to the informal invitation to attend, although it 
was understood that during the week since the meeting in Boston 
it had become ready to accept the Williams plan if five places, 
instead of four, were offered to the alumni and if they were not 
required to present two nominees for each place; to this the 
committee was unalterably opposed. The lawyers urged upon 
the Trustees the desirability of proposing this plan to the 
alumni, with the concession of five places and without the demand 
for two nominees, but there was some hesitation, Mr. Hitchcock 
not wishing to propose the plan. Dr. Tucker regarding an agree- 
ment to elect the nominee of the alumni as an evasion of the 
charter, as open to real legal objections as a change would be, 
and regretting that such an evasion should be presented as a 
necessary alternative to the defeat of the movement for alumni 
representation, and Mr. Chase feeling that the agreement was 
dangerously like disuser by the Board of its duty to select. 

After much discussion, in which Mr. Mathewson reported 
that the New York alumni in general favored the Williams 
plan but were unwilling to express that feeling in advance of 
the report of the committee, the meeting broke up, leaving the 
matter to be settled ten days later under the electrical conditions 
of Hanover during Commencement week. This interval was 
spent by Mr. Fairbanks's counsel in interviews with members of 
the committee of the alumni and of the Trustees, and in securing 
the opinion of Judge Ross, who had been opposed to any change 
in the charter, as to the legality of the Williams plan. His 
opinion held that the plan was not illegal, inasmuch as the Trus- 
tees parted with no powers, but merely made an arrangement, 
terminable at will, for availing themselves of the advice of the 
alumni as to suitable appointees. As far as the Board was con- 
cerned persons elected on the nomination of the alumni became 
members for life, and their retirement at the end of a given term 
of years was a matter of honor between them and the alumni. 
As neither Mr. Bingham nor Mr. Prouty could be present at 

'The President and Messrs. Tucker, Prescott, Hitchcock and Chase. 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 467 

Commencement the other counsel secured the aid of Mr. A. W. 
Tenney of New York of the class of 1859. 

Monday of Commencement week brought to Hanover the 
Trustees, the committee of the alumni and of Mr. Fairbanks's 
counsel, Mr. Colby, Mr. Mathewson and Mr. Tenney. As 
yet there was no certainty of agreement. The proposition to 
change the charter had lost ground, but still was so much within 
the range of possibility that Mr. Fairbanks's counsel contem- 
plated securing an injunction in case the Trustees should act 
favorably upon it. The alumni, too, in anticipation of a suit 
had informally consulted Senator Edmunds of Vermont, with 
the expectation that he would appear for them if litigation should 
follow.^ The injunction, however, was abandoned and instead 
there was obtained, to use if need be, a full opinion of Judge 
Ross against a change in the charter and a letter from Mr. 
Bingham to the Trustees, asking to be heard in behalf of Mr. 
Fairbanks if the question of a change should come to a vote. 

The first move toward the settlement of the question was 
made by President Bartlett, who on Monday brought forward 
a proposition of the Williams type, but offering only four places, 
two in, and two outside of. New Hampshire, and requiring 
two nominees for each place, although saying that ordinarily, 
and, in all probability, invariably, the one having the highest 
number of votes would be chosen, or, as an alternative, that 
"the nominee having the highest number will be elected by 
the Trustees unless they shall have what they deem valid and 
imperative reasons to the contrary, which they shall declare in 
writing." This proposal found no favor with the alumni, 
v/ho would listen to nothing that did not require the acceptance 
of their first choice. 

On the evening of the same day a committee of the Trustees 
consisting of Dr. Tucker and Judge Chase, giving up the idea 
of accepting the legislative act, outlined the plan that was later 
adopted and placed before the committee of the alumni. After 
a long session, in which Messrs. Mathewson and Tenney were 
present, the committee adjourned until the next morning, 
when they had been invited to meet the Trustees. At that 
meeting the Trustees formally proposed the plan that had been 
brought forward the day before by their own committee, and 
the committee of the alumni retired to consider it. The com- 
mittee invited Messrs. Colby, Mathewson and Tenney to confer 

1 Letter of James F. Colby to Mr. Fairbanks, July 14, 1891, 



468 History of Dartmouth College. [Chav. xiv. 

with them, and the result of their deUberations was embodied 
in the following answer to the Trustees made in the afternoon, 
although their chairman, Judge Richardson, remained to the 
eijd an opponent of concession: 

The committee of the Association of the Alumni of the College have con- 
sidered the propositions and plan for Alumni representation upon the board 
of Trustees of the College submitted by the board this day to them in certain 
resolves proposed to be adopted by said board. This committee hereby sub- 
mit to the board the plan in the following redraft of said resolutions, which 
upon the undertsanding hereinafter stated they will recommend for adoption 
by said Association. 

1. Resolved. That the Graduates of the College, the Thayer School and 
the Chandler School, of at least five years' standing, may nominate a suitable 
person for election to each of the five trusteeships next becoming vacant 
on the board of Trustees of the College (other than the Governor and Presi- 
dent) and for his successors in such Trusteeship. 

2. And resolved. That whenever any such vacancy shall occur in such 
trusteeship or the succession therein, the Trustees will take no action to 
fill the same until the expiration of three months after notice to the secretary 
of the Alumni of the occurrence of such vacancy, unless a nomination shall 
be sooner presented by the Alumni to said Trustees for that vacancy. 

It is understood that the Trustees will provide for three vacancies on the 
board at once, and two more before the next Commencement, in June 1892, 
to be filled as above provided. 

3. And resolved. That this plan of nomination shall be taken and held 
to supersede the plan heretofore adopted in 1876. 

The recommendation was adopted by the Trustees, without 
modification, at a meeting in the evening of the same day, and 
on the next day was accepted by the alumni, it being understood 
by both parties that three vacancies in the Board should be 
provided at once, and two more before the Comimencement of 
1892. Two of the three vacancies for the year were obtained by 
the immediate resignations of Doctor Spalding and Dr. Davis. 
Both of these were in the State and the third, which was outside 
the State, soon came when Judge Veazey renewed the resignation 
which had been offered but not accepted on his appointment 
as a member of the Interstate Commerce Commission in 1889. 

A new constitution of the association of the alumni, which was 
necessary to provide machinery for the nomination of trustees, 
was adopted after being drafted by Mr. Mathewson and care- 
fully discussed in the committee before its presentation. Besides 
the usual form of organization it provided for the annual 
appointment of a committee of five members on alumni trustees, 
to which was given the duty of nominating five candidates for 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 469 

each vacancy on the Board, open to nominations by the alumni. 
Its nominations were to be sent to the secretary of the alumni 
by the first of March of each year and by him transmitted to the 
alumni of five years* standing, whose ballots were to be returned 
to him by a fixed hour of the day of the annual meeting of the 
alumni. The secretary was to count the ballots, report them 
to the Trustees, and announce them to the alumni at the Com- 
mencement dinner. The constitution further provided that 
the name of no candidate should be sent to the alumni until 
he had indicated in writing his acceptance of the provisions 
of the constitution, including the one requiring his resignation 
at the end of the term for which he was elected. In 1898 
the privilege of voting was extended to alumni of three years* 
standing. 

The movement which had extended over several years was 
thus happily accomplished. It was successful from the start, 
fulfilling the hopes of its friends and disappointing the fears 
of those who doubted. It has never suffered from the indifference 
of the alumni or from a tendency to cabals or parties. In some 
years appeals have been made in support of particular candidates, 
but in general the voting has been the expression of the sober 
judgment of the alumni, unaffected by cliques or special interests. 
Without exception the men nominated have been conscious of 
their responsibility, adding effective strength to the Board, 
and in several cases they have been chosen by their associates 
as permanent trustees. 

The relations of the alumni to the College were immediately 
improved and have continued to be of the closest, though very 
fortunately for the success of the plan in this respect, its begin- 
ning coincided with that of an administration which everywhere 
commanded the loyalty and enthusiasm of the alumni. Many 
calls, financial and otherwise, have been made and all have met 
with cordial response. The confidence in the conduct of the 
College has, perhaps, not been more deserved than before, but has 
been more effective because it has been joined with responsibility. 

The first to enter the Board on the nomination of the alumni 
under the new arrangement, taking their seats at a meeting 
held October 26, 1891, were Dr. Carlton P. Frost of Hanover, 
Judge James B. Richardson of Boston and Mr. Charles W. 
Spalding of Chicago, and at the following Commencement 
Rev. Dr. Cyrus Richardson and Frank S. Streeter, Esq., took 
the seats vacated by President Bartlett and Mr. Hiram Hitch- 



470 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xiv. 

cock, thus making the five alumni trustees, and since that time 
there has been one resignation and one election each year, 
though since the earlier period the term of service of an alumni 
trustee, through one re-election, has usually been ten years. 

In the more than twenty years that alumni representation 
was advancing many took part, and doubtless many motives 
had play in the movement. An inflexible charter and a con- 
servative Board stood over against those who desired a loosening 
of the organization, and the real or supposed strict orthodoxy 
of the Trustees was an object of antagonism on the part of some 
of extreme liberal tendencies. It is not strange that a body of 
conscientious men, who deeply felt the responsibility of their 
position, should distrust, unduly as the result proved, a move- 
ment which many besides themselves, in whose judgment they 
had confidence, regarded with suspicion. Though most of the 
Trustees believed in alumni representation, they questioned any 
particular form of it, and judgment, patience, tact, skill and a 
spirit of concession were required to harmonize the aggressive 
demands of a varied constituency with the restrictions of the 
charter and the conservatism of the Trustees. That it was 
so successfully accomplished was due to the co-operation of 
many, but apart from the readiness of members of the Board 
to yield their individual preferences the credit of the result 
belongs especially to Mr. Fairbanks's counsel and to Mr. Streeter 
of the committee of the alumni, who, while representing differ- 
ent interests, were at one in recognizing that the welfare of the 
College would be best served by moderation and concession. 

The establishment of alumni representation was the last 
important event in the administration of President Bartlett. 
He was still vigorous in mind and body at the age of seventy- 
four, having twice suffered in successive winters without appar- 
ent loss of vitality the breaking of an arm from falls upon the 
ice, but he determined to retire from the presidency in order 
that he might have time, as his letter of resignation stated, 
for "certain special literary work." He, therefore, presented 
his resignation at a meeting of the Trustees, February 8, 1892, 
to take effect at the close of the college year, at the end of full 
fifteen years from his inauguration. 

In accepting his resignation the Trustees, recognizing "the 
eminent ability, intellectual and executive, which Dr. Bartlett 
had given to the presidency of the College, his great acquire- 
ments in so many departments of learning, his unsurpassed 



1877-1892.] Administration of President Bartlett. 471 

energy in administration, his untiring and incessant labors and 
his undoubted love and devotion to the College," summarized 
the results of his administration as follows: 

During his presidency the tone and standard of scholarship has been raised; 
the range and choice of studies has been broadened and extended. The 
number of professors in the College and various departments has been increased 
from twenty-one to thirty-four; new college buildings have been erected; 
the library has been enlarged from 54,000 to 72,000 volumes; and the friends 
of the College have contributed to its funds — including that given for lands 
and buildings — over ^700,000; and during this period all the funds of the 
College have been scrupulously kept to the purposes for which they were 
given. 

Desiring to retain the connection of Dr. Bartlett with the 
College the Trustees offered him the Phillips's professorship 
of divinity or a lectureship, as he should prefer, without any 
responsibility in the administration of the College. He chose 
the latter and held the position of lecturer on the Bible and its 
relations to science and history for six years till his death, which 
occurred November 16, 1898. 



CHAPTER XV. 
1893-1909. 

THE COLLEGE UNDER PRESIDENT TUCKER. 

np HE Trustees without delay selected as Dr. Bartlett's suc- 
-■■ cesser in the presidency one of their own number, Rev. 
William Jewett Tucker, D.D., a graduate of the College in 1861, 
a Trustee of the College for fourteen years, and at that time 
professor of sacred rhetoric in Andover Theological Seminary. 
Apart from his personal qualities Dr. Tucker's knowledge 
of educational movements and his intimate acquaintance with 
the character and needs of the College, gained by his long service 
as a Trustee, gave him a peculiar fitness for the presidency, 
but though the alumni united with the Trustees in urging his 
acceptance, he was so closely identified with the "Andover 
movement," then in progress, that he felt that he could not 
consistently abandon either the cause or his associates in it, 
and he, therefore, declined the election. 

As no one had been secured for the position by Commence- 
ment, though it had been offered to Rev. Francis Brown, D.D., 
of Union Theological Seminary, a grandson of the former presi- 
dent of the College of the same name, and others had been care- 
fully considered. Professor John K. Lord was asked to serve as 
acting president, with the expectation that he would perform 
the duties of the president incident to the vacation and the 
entrance of a new class, and that by the opening of the fall term 
a president would be secured. To Dr. Frost, a resident Trustee, 
was committed the oversight of current expenses. But at the 
opening of the new college year no president had been secured 
and Professor Lord continued as acting president throughout 
the year. 

Meantime the Trustees pursued an unavailing search for a 
president, both among and beyond the alumni, till after nearly 
a year their thought and that of the alumni again turned to Dr. 
Tucker as the one best fitted to take up the administration of 
the College. He was again invited to its presidency and, unable 
to resist the combined urgency of Trustees, Faculty and alumni, 
especially in view of the changed conditions at Andover within 
the year, he recalled his form.er decision and accepted the invi- 

472 





// //L / 



1893-1909-] Administration of President Tucker. 473 

tation on February 3, 1893. Owing to his duties at Andover 
he was unable to enter upon his new position till May, and from 
then till the close of the year, without taking up the immediate 
administration, he was engaged in perfecting his plans and 
adjustments for the conduct of the College. 

He was inaugurated on Wednesday of Commencement week, 
June 28, 1893. As had been usual on such occasions the proces- 
sion formed in front of Dartmouth Hall at 10.30 o'clock in the 
forenoon and proceeded to the church, with the Rev. Howard 
F. Hill of the class of 1867 as marshal, and to the music of 
Baldwin's band. The exercises in the church were presided 
over by the Rev. Dr. Alonzo H. Quint, of the class of 1846, the sen- 
ior member of the Board of Trustees, who, after prayer by ex-Pres- 
ident Bartlett, presented the charter of the College to the Presi- 
dent-elect. Addresses were made in behalf of the alumni by 
Melvin O. Adams, Esq., of the class of 1871, and in behalf of 
the Faculty by Professor John K. Lord, to which President 
Tucker made suitable response. Then followed the inaugural 
address on "The Historic College: Its Present Place in the 
Educational System," and the exercises closed with the bene- 
diction by the Rev. Davis Foster, D.D. 

The administration thus begun was one of the most notable 
in the history of the College. Its progress was not beset by 
the peculiar difficulties under which the elder Wheelock labored 
in the founding of the College, or President Brown in the contro- 
versy v/ith the University, but like every other administration 
it met its own obstacles, in spite of which it brought a devel- 
opment to the College that was proportionally unequalled 
except in its first years and perhaps in the period between 1828 
and 1842. The growth, which began at once, afTected every 
part of the College. The Faculty and students increased in 
number, the constituency widened, buildings and equipment 
were multiplied and the finances were enlarged and set on a 
secure basis. The extraordinary increase of the College, without 
a parallel in the older colleges of the country, is a conspicuous 
instance of the part that personality plays in the direction of 
educational, as of other, movements. 

The principles, whose application brought about this result, 
were set forth by President Tucker, after his retirement, in a 
report^ that not merely outlined the course of his administration 

' The report of President Tucker, Covering His Administration. Issued to the Alumni. 
Published by Dartmouth College, June 30, 1909. 



474 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xv. 

but was an educational document of the highest value. Recog- 
nizing the value of the traditions and the history of the College, 
he capitalized them for its development and made them effective 
by awakening among the alumni the consciousness that the past 
of the College was not more an object of pride than its future of 
promise, and with that consciousness the sense of their responsi- 
bility for its welfare. Taking advantage of their representation 
on the Board of Trust he took the alumni into his confi- 
dence and made them a party in the execution of his plans. 
The attitude of expectancy with w^hich they watched the early 
years of his administration changed to one of assurance and 
co-operation, so that on the burning of Dartmouth Hall they 
rallied to the support of the College by a general subscription, 
such as had often been proposed before and had as often failed, 
sufficient for the erection of Dartmouth and Wheeler Halls 
and partially of Webster Hall. 

President Tucker was met at the outset of his administration 
by the same difficulty that had confronted previous presidents, 
the financial one. Notwithstanding the economy of President 
Bartlett's administration and the many gifts that marked it, 
deficits in the annual accounts still continued and the debt of 
the College was large. This difficulty was made more pressing 
by other facts that affected the educational life of the College. 
The advances in methods of instruction called for by the exten- 
sion of the subject matter of the higher education, the new 
constituency arising from the growth of high schools, and the en- 
larged scale of expenditure following on the general increase of 
collegiate endowments, were matters which could not be ignored 
and which were bound up with the financial condition of the 
College. It became necessary, therefore, to establish a financial 
policy, sufficient to meet these conditions and at the same time 
consistent with the traditions of the College, which, as the 
President said, "had in most ways stood for self-reliance." 
This financial policy was a part of a general policy which the 
President defined as "reconstruction with a view to expansion." 

Reconstruction implied putting the college plant upon its 
most effective basis in relation to its earning capacity, for the 
President held that this was of the first importance, superior, 
as well as essential, to the support of its alumni and the gifts 
of its general constituency. He felt that while a college is an 
eleemosynary institution, yet to restrict its growth to funds 
that come only by solicitation puts it at the fortune of charity, 



1893-1909] Administration of President Tucker. 475 

and that as a corporation asking public support it must show 
that it is making all its resources effective. His plans for such 
efficiency, contemplated expansion and provided for it. His 
confidence in the future and his belief that the alumni and friends 
of the College would respond to its needs, when they felt assured 
that its resources were all employed to their best advantage, 
were so strong that he set on foot measures whose justification 
lay in expected and not in existing conditions, and whose bold- 
ness dismayed even some of the Trustees. 

An improvement and increase in instruction and equipment 
and an enlargement in the facilities and the utilities of the 
college plant were undertaken although special funds were not 
provided for them. The President had faith in the College and, 
believing in it as an investment, was ready to employ its funds 
in its own development, being assured that they would return 
a fair interest while strengthening the College by the improve- 
ments thus secured. A given investment in ordinary securities 
might bring in a certain income, but when made in the needs 
of the College, like a dormitory or water supply, it would yield 
an equal income and also provide something necessary for the 
college advancement. A part of the existing funds that were 
unrestricted was, therefore, invested in supplying the wants 
of the College in the line of water, light, heat and sanitation. 
Not all needs could be met at once, but gradually provision was 
made for all, and in such wise that they were made productive. 

In the fall of 1893 the College united with the village precinct 
in introducing an abundant supply of water for all purposes 
at a cost of $65,000, the College putting in $25,000, the precinct 
$20,000, the balance being raised by an issue of bonds. A reser- 
voir capable of storing 137,000,000 gallons was constructed 
about two miles northeast of the village, and has since been 
protected from pollution by the purchase, at a cost of $34,000, 
of all its water shed, comprising a tract of about 1,400 acres. 
The project has been not only of the highest sanitary value 
but financially profitable. Five years later a heating plant 
was established at a cost of $77,000, afterward increased by 
enlargements to $89,000, having eight boilers and heating through 
7,900 feet of mains all the college buildings situated around the 
campus or in the park, and also the gymnasium. In 1904 there 
was added an electric light plant, costing with its cables $34,000, 
since increased to over $40,000. All the college buildings are 
lighted from it, and power is furnished to the college carpenter's 



476 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XV. 

shop, and so successful has been its operation that in six 
years it paid all its running expenses and the entire cost of its 
construction. 

The sanitation of the college buildings was dependent on a 
sufficient water supply, and after the operation of the new water 
system, measures to perfect the sanitation were immediately 
undertaken. Two systems of sewers had already been estab- 
lished by private interests in different parts of the village, but 
as these could be made serviceable only in part the College 
constructed two of its own that fully met its requirements, 
and in course of time it bought out the private interests so as 
to control its entire system of sewerage. As soon as possible 
bath rooms and water closets were installed in the older dormi- 
tories and all the newer buildings were fully supplied. The 
development of the dormitory system gave opportunity for 
close physical inspection, which in 1902 was put under the 
charge of Dr. Howard N. Kingsford as medical director. Under 
the system which he inaugurated and has administered, extend- 
ing to a careful inspection of the dormitories, recitation and 
lecture rooms of the College and of the rooms and conveniences 
of private houses occupied by students, and of eating rooms 
and local sources of food supply, the health of the students 
has been carefully protected and kept at a high level. Typhoid 
fever, whose outbreak in the fall was once regarded as an 
almost inevitable annual scourge, has been eliminated, and other 
epidemics have likewise been prevented or held in check.^ 

The policy of reconstruction and expansion implied the pre- 
liminary processes of organization and consolidation. President 
Tucker prepared at the beginning of his administration to 
organize all the business of the College. Standing committees 
were established in the Trustees and the Faculty for the exam- 
ination and preparation of all matters that would come before 
them for consideration. ^ The care of the buildings arid grounds, 
which had heretofore devolved upon a member of the Faculty 
and which was steadily increasing in importance and respon- 
sibility, was made an independent position and given in 1893, 

' A definite account of the method of inspection is given in the Dartmouth Bi-Monthly for 
October, 1905, and in the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine for June, 1912, in articles by Dr. Kings- 
ford. 

2 The committees of the Trustees were on e.xigencies, finance, instruction, equipment, build- 
ings and improvements, degrees, relation of the College to the State, and the relation of the 
College to the alumni; those of the Faculty were on the catalogue, the library, scholarships, 
rules. Commencement, athletics, admission and discipline. In course of time these committees 
were modified both in scope and name to meet changing conditions. 



1893-1909-] Administration of Preside?it Tucker. /^yy 

as his whole concern, to Mr. A. A. McKenzie, with the title of 
"Inspector" which was changed in 1898 to that of "Superin- 
tendent of Buildings and Grounds." For the more efficient 
administration of college discipline, including the keeping of the 
records of scholarship and the assignment of beneficiary aid, a 
dean was appointed in 1893. Professor Charles F. Emerson 
was assigned to the place and combined its duties with those 
of the professorship of physics till 1899, when he gave up his 
teaching to devote himself entirely to the increasing demands 
of the deanship, which in the fourteen years since he has dis- 
charged with unfailing fidelity to the great advantage of the 
College. To provide for the conduct of college business during 
the repeated and sometimes protracted absences of the President 
from Hanover, Professor John K. Lord was appointed acting 
president of the Faculty in the absence of the president, and 
held the position till 1909. 

The movement for consolidation began with the Chandler 
School. Apart from the friction that had arisen in connection 
with it, its position called for serious attention. The raising 
of the requirements for admission above the original standard, 
already mentioned, the growth of high schools offering greater 
facilities and range of preparation, and the increasing number 
of students were demanding more of the School than its slender 
endowment enabled it to meet. If the School was to keep its 
relative efficiency under increasing demands and increasing 
competition of other institutions it was evident that its endow- 
ment and equipment must be correspondingly increased, or 
that some way must be devised whereby its resources and those 
of the Academic Department could be made mutually helpful. 
The Trustees recognizing the situation, at their annual meeting, 
June 29, 1892, appointed a committee, consisting of Messrs. 
Quint, Fairbanks, Tucker and J. B. Richardson, to obtain 
information "with a view to determining whether the policy 
of the board should be to continue the Chandler School as a 
separate organization, securing funds for the enlargement of 
its work in the direction of the 'practical arts of life,' or to unite 
it more closely with the college, so as to furnish scientific courses 
parallel with the other courses of the college." Four members 
of the faculties, Messrs. Colby, J. K. Lord, Ruggles and Fletcher, 
were asked to co-operate with the committee of the Board in 
examination of the subject. 

All were convinced after conference and separate investigation 



478 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XV. 

that, if it were possible, a union of the College and the School 
would be desirable, since an increase in the endowments and 
equipment of the School would involve much duplication of the 
college plant and also of instruction there given, and in the 
operation of the School would tend to increase rather than 
diminish friction with the College. It was also doubtful whether 
an endowment could be secured sufficient to ensure a techno- 
logical school of the highest grade. The possibility of a union 
depended upon the interpretation which the Visitors might 
give to Mr. Chandler's will upon certain vital points — whether 
under the will the standard of the School could be so high that 
its discipline and scholarship would equal that of the College, 
whether the terms of admission could be made to require such 
attainments in modern languages and scientific subjects that 
students at entrance should have a good degree of mental disci- 
pline, whether the tuition could be the same as that of the 
College, as long as it remained "moderate," whether the condi- 
tion of the will requiring "a department or school in the 
college," would be met by the maintenance of a department 
and courses of instruction in the College, without such separate 
classification of students as would require them to be made 
responsible to a purely separate faculty.* 

These questions in substance were presented by the Trustees 
to the Visitors, who at that time were both graduates of the 
School, Messrs. B. A. Kimball, a business man of Concord, N. H., 
and John Hopkins of Millbury, Mass., a judge of the Superior 
Court of that State, and to all of them they returned an affirm- 
ative reply. Premising that it was not Mr. Chandler's intention 
to found an independent School, for which his bequest was en- 
tirely inadequate, or that students who came to the department 
should be set ofif by themselves, but that they should be students 
of the College and receive all the benefits that could come from 
being part and parcel of the College, and, therefore, holding 
that Mr. Chandler intended that there should be "intimate 
and close relation between that which he was adding and that 
to which it was added, that is so well expressed by the words 
'department of instruction in the College,' " the Visitors favored 
a closer union with the College and an advance of the standard 
of admission to the School. Such an advance they believed to 

» Dartmouth College. The Relation of the College and the Schools, May i, 1893. A pam- 
phlet containing the reports of the committees of the Trustees and the Faculty and the opinion 
of the Vieitors. 



1893-1909-] Administration of President Tucker. 479 

be compatible with the requirements of Mr. Chandler's will 
that no higher studies were to be required for admission than 
are pursued in "the common schools of New England." 

This belief rested upon a careful comparison of the school 
systems of the New England States as they then were and as 
they were at the time of Mr. Chandler's death, as defined by 
the statutes of the different states. It appeared, that in 1851, 
though the Connecticut statutes spoke of "common schools of 
different grades," Vermont was the only state that used in its 
statutes as a distinctive title the expression "common schools," 
and this included "district," "graded," "central" and "union" 
schools. Both of these states in later revisions of their statutes 
abandoned the word "common" for some more general phrase, 
or for the word "public" in use by the other states. Massachu- 
setts was the only state that defined by statute the subjects 
to be taught in the public schools, the other states leaving them 
to the determination of boards or committees, or to special vote. 
The Visitors, therefore, concluded, in interpreting the words 
"common schools," "that, at about the time Mr. Chandler's 
will went into effect, there was no uniformity in the systems 
of education, in the nomenclature employed to represent the 
various schools, or in the course of study pursued in them; the 
only thing they had in common was this: they were all main- 
tained at the public expense." 

In considering the subjects taught in the schools the Visitors 
further said: "In spite of all this diversity, they were common 
schools in the sense that, in all their grades, they were main- 
tained at the public expense, and were so distinguishable from 
the academies and otlier preparatory schools which were not 
thus maintained, and the purpose of Mr. Chandler was to make 
the requisites for admission to the department conform to, and 
be no other or higher than, the standard that might, from time 
to time, be attained in the public schools of New England, 
but always within the lines enumerated in his will." This 
logical identification of the "common schools" of Mr. Chandler's 
will with the "public schools" of later date made it, as the 
Visitors said, "competent for the Trustees to require for admission 
to the Chandler Scientific Department so much French, physics 
and chemistry as is taught in the public schools of New England, 
including under that term the high schools that are maintained 
at the public charge." The Visitors also determined that the 
tuition might be the same as that for the Academic Department. 



480 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XV. 

The report of the committee of the Trustees, embodying that 
of the committee of the Faculty and the opinion of the Visitors, 
was presented to the Board at a meeting held December 5, 1892. 
In conformity to the interpretation of the Visitors it recom- 
mended that the Chandler School become a department of 
instruction in the College with scientific courses parallel with 
the other courses, that all the students be classified together 
under one faculty, that the professors on the Chandler founda- 
tion become members of the college faculty, that the tuition be 
the same for all students thereafter admitted, that the condi- 
tions for admission to the Chandler Scientific course be raised 
to include substantially as much of mathematics, physics and 
chemistry as was furnished by the better high schools, with one 
full year of French at once and two a year later, and that the 
College offer three parallel courses, — the Classical, the Latin- 
Scientific and the Chandler Scientific, leading respectively to 
the degrees of A.B., B.L. and B. S. 

The classical course, as defined in the report of the committee 
of the Faculty and accepted by the Trustees, made the study of 
Greek, Latin and mathematics the greater part of the work of 
the first two years; in the Latin-Scientific course modern lan- 
guages, science and mathematics were substituted for Greek, and 
in the Chandler course both Greek and Latin were replaced by 
modern languages, science, mathematics and engineering. 

To make the consolidation more effective it was recommended 
that the Thayer School be brought into a closer working relation 
with the Chandler course, by so arranging the studies of the 
senior year of the Chandler course in connection with those of 
the first year of the Thayer course that a student might complete 
the two courses, and gain the degrees of both courses in five years. 
To prevent duplication there was also to be an equitable inter- 
change of instruction between the professors of the Thayer 
School and the Chandler professor of civil engineering. 

All these recommendations were at once adopted by the 
Trustees, the corresponding announcements were made and 
the changes went into operation at the opening of the next 
college year. The course of study for the combined depart- 
ments was carefully prepared, first by the committee of the 
Faculty already mentioned, and after mature consideration 
by the Faculty, was adopted by the Trustees. The result, as 
far as the Faculty was concerned, was the same as that proposed 
by President Lord in 1859, but in the classification and instruc- 



1 893-1 909-1 Administration of President Tucker. 481 

tion of the students there was a closer union, which in the admin- 
istration of the College was wholly beneficial. The friction 
between the departments, in either faculty or students, disap- 
peared, as there was now but one faculty for undergraduate 
students and but one student body. A new sense of oneness 
arose in the College which became an effective force in its ad- 
vance. Differences of interest with their inevitable tendency 
to jealousies and alienations gave way to a common interest 
and a common purpose. There was no longer a rivalry of 
departments but a single college spirit that became one of the 
chief assets of the new administration. It cannot be doubted 
that this consolidation was an indispensable preliminary of the 
growth that followed. 

Coincident with it was the first movement toward expansion, 
which appeared in the provision for increased instruction in 
the fall of 1893. Three professorships were then established, 
in history, sociology and biology, but the professor of history, 
though then elected, did not enter upon his duties for another 
year. In sociology and biology, wholly new departments, the 
College recognized the progress of modern thought in two dis- 
tinct fields. In history, which had once been a department 
occupied by President John Wheelock and afterward by Profes- 
sor Cogswell, instruction had of late years been given only in a 
desultory way by occasional lecturers or instructors, or by mem- 
bers of the Faculty who added that subject to the work of their 
particular chairs, but now the subject resumed its rightful place 
among the departments. In the spring of that year the Willard 
fund for a professorship of rhetoric and oratory becoming avail- 
able, the chair was filled,^ and within five years there had been 
large addition to the teaching staff through temporary appoint- 
ments in the departments of biology, French, Latin, German, 
oratory, econom.ics, astronomy and physics, of those who after- 
ward became permanent members of the Faculty as professors. 

Four years after the consolidation and at the graduation of 
the first united class, the Medical Department celebrated its 
hundredth anniversary. The exercises were held on Tuesday 
of Commencement week, June 29, 1897, at five o'clock in the 

1 Ex-Senator James W. Patterson, at that time Superintendent of Public Instruction in 
New Hampshire, was appointed to the professorship, but he had scarcely entered on his duties 
when he died suddenly May 4, 1893. His death occurred as he was attending an evening 
prayer meeting, and soon after its opening, but he sat so quietly that he seemed asleep and it 
WM only at the close of the meeting that he was found to be dead. Those who sat near him 
then recalled a slight gasp which probably marked the time of his death, that came from a 
failure of the heart. 
31 



482 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XV. 

afternoon in the College church. The exercises "observed by 
the President and Trustees of the College, the medical faculty, 
the graduates of the Medical College, the Governor and Council 
and other invited guests," consisted of music, opening of the 
centennial exercises by President Tucker, a prayer by Rev. 
Dr. S. P. Leeds, and a historical address by Dr. Phineas S. 
Conner. These were followed by a banquet in Butterfield Hall, 
at which Dr. William T. Smith presided and many addresses 
were made.^ 

A movement of the alumni, begun in the fall of 1891 to sup- 
port the demand for representation on the Board of Trust and 
having for its object an improvement in the physical education 
of the students and an increase in their athletic facilities, fell 
in with the other forms of progress. In November of that year 
the executive committee of the Alumni Association, after a 
meeting held in Boston with the alumni of the vicinity, proposed 
to the Trustees that they would attempt to raise funds for 
"making repairs and additions to the gymnasium, purchasing 
apparatus therefor, securing land for an athletic field, employ- 
ing suitable agents, and using all measures calculated to promote 
interest in athletics at the College, and improving the physical 
condition of the undergraduates," if the Trustees would put 
the management of the gymnasium into the hands of the Alumni 
Association, subject to the rules of the Trustees. The propo- 
sition was accepted by the Trustees at a meeting held February 
8, 1892, and the gymnasium and the "immediate care and man- 
agement of athletics" were given to the alumni, subject to such 
general regulations as the Trustees might make and with the 
proviso that the Trustees should always have a fair representa- 
tion on the committee of management. 

After this action of the Trustees a special committee of the 
alumni, consisting of Dr. J. L. Hildreth of Cambridge, Mass., 
Mr. Charles F. Mathewson of New York and Mr. C. W. 
Spalding of Chicago, prepared and presented to the alumni 
at their meeting at Commencement a plan for the improvement 
of the g>'mnasium, the acquisition of an athletic field and the 
control of athletics in the College. During the next year the 
plan was only partially carried out in the remodelling of the 
gymnasium, since it was found impracticable to construct a 

lAn account of the proceedings, wth Dr. Conner's address, is given in a model historical 
pamphlet containing transcripts of documents relating to the College, and entitled, ' Dart- 
mouth Medical College Centennial E.xercises," Hanover, Dartmouth Press, 1897- 



1893-1909.] Administration of President Tucker. 483 

swimming tank, as had been recommended, but was made 
wholly effective in the preparation of an athletic field. For this 
purpose the Trustees put at the disposal of the committee ten 
acres of the lot between Crosby and Park Streets purchased of 
the Agricultural College, and these, by an expenditure of $17,000, 
were drained, graded and enclosed, and provided with a cinder 
running track, with baseball and football fields and with a 
grand stand, and were henceforth called the "Alumni Oval." 

For the control of athletics a plan was recommended and 
adopted, that, with minor modifications, has been in effective 
operation to the present. By this plan the control of membership 
in athletic teams was given to the Faculty as far as it was affected 
by restrictions in scholarship, but apart from that the direction 
of athletics was entrusted to the alumni, and their authority 
was exercised by an athletic council of nine members, consisting 
of three alumni elected at the annual meeting at Commencement, 
three members of the Faculty appointed by the Faculty but 
subject to the approval of the alumni at the same meeting, and 
three undergraduates who, as managers of the football, base- 
ball and track athletic departments, were ex-officio members 
of the council. Working through an executive officer, who as 
graduate manager is also its financial and business agent, the 
council has brought about very beneficial results in excluding 
professionalism, in systematizing and controlling financial oper- 
ations and in establishing relations with other institutions. 

The financial aid thus given by the alumni was not the only 
cheer of the kind that brightened the opening years of the new 
administration, and provided a substantial basis for its plans. 
In fact, it was the good fortune of the administration that 
almost at its beginning it had the benefit of several large funds, 
like the Willard, the Wentworth and the Fayerweather funds, 
which had previously been received wholly or in part, without 
being available, or like the Butterfield fund, which came unex- 
pectedly. The Willard fund becoming available in 1894 and 
the Wentworth in 1896 greatly aided in the work of reconstruc- 
tion. 

Of the Fayerweather fund, the initial payment came in 1891 
and later payments were made at intervals till 1901. It was 
the bequest of Daniel B. Fayerweather, a wealthy merchant 
of New York City, who, in dividing a large estate among educa- 
tional institutions, left $100,000 directly to Dartmouth and 
also made the College a sharer in a residuary bequest. The 



484 History oj Dartmouth College. [Chap. XV. 

estate was long in litigation, in which the counsel of the College 
was Judge Horace Russell, a graduate of the class of 1865, 
but on its conclusion the College received payments amounting 
in all to $223,381. As the bequest was without conditions 
the Trustees devoted it to liquidating the debt of the College, 
and beyond that point used it as a fund on which to draw in 
meeting the annual deficits that occurred in the reconstruction 
and development of the College from 1893 to 1906, when deficits 
due to this account ceased. "The name of Mr. Fayerweather," 
wrote President Tucker,^ "is perpetuated in the Fayerweather 
row of dormitories, but the effect of his bequest cannot be 
localized. It made possible the growth of the College since 
1893. No fund of many times its value, if it had been restricted 
in its uses, could have served an equal purpose in the develop- 
ment of the College." 

In January of 1893 the news was received that Dr. Ralph 
Butterfield of the class of 1839, a resident of Kansas City, Mo., 
who died September 2, 1892, had made the College his residuary 
legatee, devising his property for the foundation of a professor- 
ship or lectureship in paleontology, archseology, ethnology and 
kindred subjects, and for the erection of a building for the 
housing of a museum, to which he gave his own cabinet illustrative 
of these branches. From this bequest the College received, 
on the settlement of the estate, a little over $141,000, of which 
^87,350 were used in the construction of Butterfield Hall, accord- 
ing to the will of the donor, and the balance was kept as a per- 
manent fund. 

Another valuable gift was made in 1897 by Mr. C. T. Wilder 
of Olcott, Vt., amounting at its full maturity three years later 
to $109,000, of which, at the suggestion of Mr. Wilder, $84,000 
were employed in the erection of a physical laboratory, and the 
balance, except $10,000 reserved for the use of the Observatory, 
was kept as a fund for the maintenance of the building and 
its equipment. The gift was further enlarged by Mr. Wilder 
by an additional $75,000, so restricted, however, as not to be 
immediately productive. 

Of more immediate service in meeting current expenses and 
of greater value as indicating the interest and goodwill of the 
State was the appropriation by the Legislature in 1893 of $15,000 
covering two years. Four years later the Legislature of 1897 
appropriated $10,000, and that of 1899 $20,000, in each case 

> The Resources and Expenditures of Dartmouth College, Dartmouth Bi-Monthly. 



1893-1909.] Administration of President Tucker. 485 

for two years. Subsequent legislatures have severally made 
appropriations, amounting since 1903 to $20,000 a year. The 
basis of the grant was the recognition of the fact that the College 
was educating students from New Hampshire at an expense 
far in excess of any return that the State had ever made.^ 

The combination of these various influences for the develop- 
ment of the College was made effective by the increasing interest 
and activity of the alumni. At the outset of his administration, 
as has been said. President Tucker took them into his confidence 
and made it an essential part of his work to go among them, 
to their annual and special gatherings, telling them of what 
had been done and explaining his plans for the future. He 
presented the College to them not as a beggar that demanded 
and would be satisfied with their gifts, but as an object of their 
personal interest and responsibility, whose welfare rested upon 
them as really as upon the college guardians. He did not ask 
a sentimental regard, valuable as that might be, but a sober and 
earnest recognition of the worth of the College in what it had 
done for them and in what it might do for others. This future 
work, he made clear, depended upon the alumni, which must 
become for the prosperity of the College an active force in its 
behalf. 

The rapid growth of the belief in the responsibility of the 
alumni appeared in the large number of local associations estab- 
lished during this period. Between 1864, when the first of such 
associations was formed at Boston, and 1892 eleven had been 
established, but from 1893 to 1909, inclusive, twelve new asso- 
ciations, scattered from New England to the Pacific coast, 
testified to the strength of the activity of the alumni, and in 
addition to them there arose, again in imitation of a movement 
originating in Boston in 1892, five "Dartmouth Clubs," with 
more frequent stated meetings than the associations, some of 
them as often as once a week, and having as their special object 
the fostering of alumni fraternity and the dissemination of 
information concerning the College. Still further to organize 
the sentiment of the alumni there was formed in 1905, at the 
suggestion of the President, the association of class secretaries, 
which has an annual meeting at Hanover in March, and has been 

» In 1906 the following exhibit was made: Total expense of the College for the year $230,000; 
number of undergraduates 950; cost per man S242; number of men from New Hampshire 235; 
cost of educating them (235XS242) $56,870; receipts from these men through tuition or from 
scholarship funds, 123,500; cost to College above such receipts, I33, 470. Resources and 
Expenditures of Dartmouth College, p. 31. 



486 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XV. 

very active in the discussion of matters relating to the College 
and effective in keeping the graduates in touch with them. 

The policy of the new administration was effective from the 
start in attracting students. The failure to secure a president 
in 1892 and the uncertainty of the succession were reflected in 
the smallness of the class entering in the fall of that year, which 
numbered only seventy-eight, but the satisfaction that was felt 
at the accession of Dr. Tucker was evidenced by a class of one 
hundred and twenty in the fall of 1893. From that time the 
increase in numbers was almost uninterrupted. Every class 
that entered was not larger than the one before it, but the 
total enrollment of undergraduates was greater each year. 

In a village like Hanover the housing of the increasing number 
of students offered a constant problem. It could be met only 
by a sufificient number of quarters in private houses, by private 
dormitories or by dormitories erected by the College. The first 
was impossible, the Trustees were opposed to private dormi- 
tories and were, therefore, forced to erect their own, and it was 
in this step that they entered upon the policy of making the 
College its own investment. The capacity of the old college 
dormitories, those about the college yard and Hallgarten, was 
about two hundred, inadequate as things then were, and with 
the supplement of the village offering scarcely any chance of 
growth. This state of things, emphasized by the new idea of 
sanitation and of the oversight of the health of the students, 
led the Trustees in 1894 to construct a new dormitory to accom- 
modate fifty students, by the reconstruction and enlargement 
of the house that had long been the residence of Professor San- 
born. From that fact it was called "Sanborn House," and from 
its superiority to the old buildings it became for some years a 
favorite dormitory. 

The growth of the College in numbers during the administra- 
tion of President Tucker may fairly be traced in the construction 
of new dormitories. There was a considerable increase in rooms 
open to students in the village and in later years in the rise of 
fraternity houses, but the provision made by the College in the 
enlargement of the dormitory system about kept pace with the 
demand. A seeming supply by one construction proved insuffi- 
cient and one dormitory followed another to meet the growing 
need. Crosby House, for fifty-five students, was opened in 1896. 
This fine old brick house built by Professor Z. S. Moore about 
1810 had been for many years the home of Dr. Dixi Crosby, 



1 893-1909] Administration of President Tucker. 487 

and with additions and improvements was made into a dormi- 
tory, wiiich in attractiveness is not surpassed by any of the other 
dormitories. In the next year provision was made for fifty- 
five more by the erection of Richardson Hall on the west slope 
of Observatory Hill, which by the formation of "The Terrace" 
gave an approach from the college yard to the Medical College 
in the rear of the main street. That it might not dwarf the 
chapel from its higher position it was constructed on horizontal 
lines, a story of brick resting on an ashlar of granite and sur- 
mounted by a Mansard roof of shingles, which greatly diminished 
its apparent height. The dormitory was named in honor of 
Judge James B. Richardson, one of the Trustees, and was the 
first of the more expensive dormitories, though in the then favor- 
rable conditions of building its cost fell a little under $50,000. 

In 1899 the old home of Professor O. P. Hubbard, occupying 
the present site of the Parkhurst Administration building, was 
converted into a small dormitory for twenty men, and in the 
same year the row in the rear of Dartmouth Hall was begun 
by the erection, in the same general style as Dartmouth, of 
Fayerweather Hall. It was built in three distinct sections, 
which altogether provided for eighty-five students. The next 
year witnessed the addition of quarters for forty more in a 
building that was intended primarily as a center of the social 
life of the College and as a Commons Hall. This building, 
which was erected at a cost of nearly $120,000, contained on its 
first floor not only a living room for the College Club, of which 
all students were members, a reading room, and a trophy room, 
with offices, but also a large dining hall beautifully finished in 
Flemish oak and capable of seating nearly four hundred at table. 
The growth of the College and the lack of boarding accommo- 
dations in the village compelled the renewal of the experiment, 
never before successful, and abandoned in 181 5, of a college 
commons, which, though it has not been wholly free from criti- 
cism, has fairly met the needs of the students, a large majority 
of whom have patronized it, and has been on the whole self- 
supporting. In addition to the regular dining room service 
it includes a restaurant, known as the "grill" room, which is 
open at all hours of the day and attracts many. 

In 1903 the house formerly occupied by Dr. T. R. Crosby 
at the corner of Elm and College Streets was conv^erted into a 
a small dormitory with accommodations for twenty and from 
its location called Elm House, and in the next year on the lot 



488 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xv. 

north of the chapel, made vacant by the removal of the house 
of Professor Emerson, there was built the largest of the dormi- 
tories up to that time, with a capacity of ninety-eight, and 
named Wheeler Hall in honor of the John Wheeler who had 
given to the College the $i,ooo which enabled it to undertake 
its contest with the State. After an interval of two years three 
dormitories in 1904 added accommodations for one hundred 
and forty-eight. The Fayerweather row was completed by the 
construction of North and South Fayerweather, and in the rear 
of the Hubbard House was built the New Hubbard, to hold 
forty-eight. If fortune may be ascribed to a building, that of the 
two new Fayerweathers was adverse, for in the winter of 1908 
the north building took fire and barely escaped destruction, 
while the south building was completely burned on the night 
of February 26, 1910. The latter was fully occupied, and the 
fire, which arose in the basement from some unexplained cause, 
gained such headway and burned so rapidly that the roomers, 
on being awakened, had barely time to make their escape, some 
being forced to jump from the windows and being saved from 
injury only by the deep snow into which they fell. The building 
was immediately restored in fireproof construction. 

Two more dormitories completed the work of the administra- 
tion in the housing of the students. Massachusetts Hall, for 
eighty-eight occupants, erected in 1907, was the central feature 
in a second line of buildings in the rear of Tuck Hall, of which 
the northern one was the New Hubbard, that was afterward 
removed to the rear of Chandler Hall, and the southern one 
was the Proctor House, which in 1902 had been moved back 
to give room for Tuck Hall and made into a small dormitory, 
and which still later was torn down to open a site for South 
Massachusetts. In 1908 New Hampshire Hall, the largest of 
all the dormitories, having rooms for one hundred and seven, 
was built on the lot between the library and Hallgarten. 

These fourteen dormitories, built within fourteen years, and 
all of brick, except Sanborn, Elm, Proctor and the New Hubbard, 
added about seven hundred to the housing capacity of the 
College. The growth thus indicated was further marked by 
new buildings for other purposes. These were Butterfield, 
Wilder, Chandler, Tuck, Dartmouth and Webster, besides the 
Nathan Smith Laboratory, the heating plant and the recon- 
structed Inn. The first two, built in 1895 and 1897, have already 
been mentioned as devoted to special departments. Chandler 



1893-1909-] Administration of President Tucker. 489 

Hall, which was the enlargement in 1898 of Moor Hall through 
a bequest of over $28,000 by Frank W. Daniels of the class of 
1868, was set apart for the use of the mathematical department. 
Tuck Hall, erected in 1902 as a part of the gift of Edward Tuck, 
of the class of 1862, became the home of the Tuck School and 
of the departments of history and economics. 

The new Dartmouth, completed in 1906, replaced the old 
Dartmouth that was burned on the morning of February 18, 
1904. The destruction of the old hall removed the last visible 
link with the early days of the College and was an irretrievable 
loss in sentiment. During the administrations of President 
Smith and President Bartlett the building had not been highly 
esteemed and at one time plans had been made to move it back 
and to enlarge it with an ell, but in later years it had secured 
its rightful place in the thought of the alumni as a building of 
beauty as well as of historic sentiment. The grace and simplic- 
ity of its architecture, its perfect proportions, its unique and 
wonderful belfry, and its association with the great names of 
the college past had made, by contrast with so much that was 
new, a deep impression of its worth. The sentiment and affec- 
tion of the alumni gathered rapidly about it as a kind of inherited 
treasure and historic landmark, so that the news of its burning 
brought a great sense of loss, as of that which could never be 
replaced. The report of the fire, telegraphed to Boston and 
displayed on the bulletin boards, brought dismay to the friends 
of the College, but while the fire was still in progress the President 
called a meeting of the Trustees, and Melvin O. Adams, a trustee 
of the College living in Boston, sent out a call for a meeting of 
the alumni, which he declared was "not an invitation but a 
summons." 

The fire, which was caused by defective wiring, burned with 
remarkable rapidity. The alarm was given during the morning 
chapel exercise, and the students rushing out saw flames issuing 
from the windows of a room, from which, not more than five 
minutes before, students had gone to chapel without a suspicion 
of danger. A dense smoke, in which was mixed the dust that 
had collected in the attic during a century, filled the upper halls 
and so completely prevented passage through them that no ap- 
proach was possible for firemen, and a student in one of the 
rooms in the third story was taken out by a ladder. The morn- 
ing was one of the coldest of the winter, 20° below zero, and the 
fire service, crippled in consequence, had little effect in checking 



490 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xy. 

the flames. Within an hour the supports of the cupola, to 
whose dehcate structure the leaping flames lent an added grace, 
gave way, and the falling bell was melted in the heat below, 
and within two hours the whole building, except a few portions 
of the end walls, was in ashes. The fact that the fire began 
in the center of the third story and hence burned downward 
saved the adjoining halls, as the heat was drawn in from them 
rather than thrown out toward them. 

The financial loss was not as great as the loss in sentiment- 
The old hall, begun a few years after the death of the first Whee- 
lock, covered in its hundred and twenty years of existence 
almost the whole history of the institution. For many years, 
except when occupied by the University, it had been the home 
of nearly all the activities of the College, and though in the 
increase of buildings it ceased to be "The College," as it was 
long called, yet it held a proud pre-eminence from its age, its 
beauty and its history. The determination was at once taken 
to rebuild it on practically the same lines, but of brick instead 
of wood, and the new building, when erected, though longer 
and wider and higher than the old by a few feet, seemed to be 
a reproduction of it, especially as it was painted white and the 
new belfry was the replica of the former one. 

The enthusiasm of the alumni for the reconstruction of Dart- 
mouth Hall reinforced the appeal of a subscription that was 
already under way for the construction of Webster Hall. The 
$50,000 already pledged were diverted to the more pressing 
need of the restoration of Dartmouth Hall, and a "building 
fund" of $250,000 for Dartmouth and W^ebster Halls and a 
new dormitory was set on foot, and in the end was secured. 

The laying of the corner stone was the occasion of a great 
celebration, made notable by a large gathering of the alumni 
and by the presence of the Earl of Dartmouth, the fourth in 
descent from the Earl from whom the College was named, who 
with his Countess and his daughter. Lady Dorothy Legge, 
came from England to be present at the ceremony as the guests 
of the College.^ The Earl reached Hanover on the afternoon 
of Tuesday, October 25, and was greeted with the cheers of the 
students gathered on the steps of College Hall. The formal 
exercises began in the evening with a series of eight tableaux, 

» A full account is given in "Exercises and Addresses attending the Laying of the Corner 
Stone of the New Dartmouth Hall, Hanover, N. H., 1905," and also in The Dartmouth for 
October 38, 1904. 



1893-1909-] Administration of President Tucker. 491 

given by the students under the direction of a committee of 
the Faculty, representing scenes and events in the life of Wheelock 
and the early history of the College.^ The intervals between the 
tableaux were enlivened with singing and cheering by the stu- 
dents and with many stereopticon views that, like the tableaux, 
had to do with Wheelock and the College. All these were 
exhibited on a temporary stage erected in front of the grand 
stand on the athletic field. 

The exercises of the next day were somewhat marred by rain. 
Those of the morning were held in the church, which was draped 
with American and English fiags. The chief features of the morn- 
ing were the historical address on "The Origins of Dartmouth 
College" by Professor Francis Brown, D.D., the conferring 
of the degree of LL.D. on Lord Dartmouth and his pre- 
sentation to the College of the correspondence between Eleazar 
Wheelock and the second Earl of Dartmouth. The rain con- 
tinuing in the afternoon, an address by Mr. Charles F. Mathew- 
son and a poem by Mr. Wilder D. Quint that were to have been 
given in the open air were transferred to the church, but later 
it was possible for the procession to go to the grave of Eleazar 
Wheelock, to whom a brief but fitting reference was then made 
by President Tucker, and then to proceed to the laying of the 
corner stone. A prayer of dedication was offered by Bishop 
Ethelbert Talbot, D.D., of the class of 1870, and when Lord 
Dartmouth, smoothing the mortar, declared the stone well laid 
the bells on the chapel broke into a loud and joyous peal. The 
foundations v/ere spanned by an electric arch making brilliant 
the words, "1791 — Dartmouth — 1904." 

The festivities were closed by a banquet in the evening given 
by the President and Trustees to Lord Dartmouth. The occa- 
sion being regarded as of civic rather than of general academic 
interest, representatives were invited from four colleges only, 
Harvard as the oldest of American colleges, William and Mary 
as the college first to identify great English names with Amer- 
ican institutions, Yale as the college of Eleazar Wheelock, and 
Hamilton as founded by Wheelock's pupil, Samuel Kirkland. 

' These were: (i) Wheelock receiving Samson Occum at Lebanon. Conn., December 6, 17431 
<2) Occum preaching in Whitefield's Tabernacle, London; (3) First meeting of Trustees at 
Wyman Tavern, Keene, N. H., October 12, 1770; (4) Wheelock and his family at Hanover, 
(a) ten little Indians, (b) prayers in the forest; (5) The first Commencement at Dartmouth, 
(a) tub scene, ''soo gallons of New England rum," (b) Gov. Wentworth's visit; (6) Return 
of Capt. John Wheelock and his company after Burgoyne's surrender; (7) Defence of the 
libraries against the University professors; (8) Daniel Webster pleading the college case at 
Washington. 



492 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XV- 

The presence of the governor of the State and of Dr. Charles 
A. Eastman, a graduate of the College and a full-blood Sioux 
Indian, gave prominence to the relations of the College and the 
State and to the abiding effect of Wheelock's purpose for the 
College. 

The new building, into which, to give it a physical connection 
with the old, had been built two of the old windows, saved from 
the fire, and some of the granite steps, was completed and ready 
for occupancy and was dedicated February 17, 1906 (as the 
1 8th fell on Sunday), two years almost to the day from the date 
of the destruction of the first building. The dedication took 
place in the morning under conditions of weather rivaling 
those of the day of the fire. After special exercises in Rollins 
Chapel the Trustees, Faculty, alumni and students marched 
to the west of the campus and through a path cut through the 
deep snow directly to the front of the new hall, singing as they 
approached it Milton's rendering of the 136th Psalm, as used 
at Commencement. After a few words of dedication by Pres- 
ident Tucker, the procession, each class cheering as it advanced, 
encircled the building, and then entered to inspect it. The 
interior arrangement was entirely different from that of the 
former building, as it was wholly given up to recitation and 
lecture purposes, and in place of the old chapel, which cut the 
building in two in the first and second stories, there was a large 
lecture room in the center of the first floor. The old bell was 
replaced by one from the same makers but of richer tone, weigh- 
ing 1,854 pounds, the gift of J. W. Peirce of the class of 1905, 
and in place of the former erratic clock a new and accurate one, 
with faces on both front and rear gables, the front face being 
illuminated at night, was given by Dr. William T. Smith. 

Webster Hall, a stately structure containing a noble audi- 
torium, was long in building. The original plan included the 
double purpose of an administration building and an auditorium. 
The first floor was to contain all the college offices and the second 
only an extensive hall, but in the long interval after the founda- 
tions were laid and before construction began, the plan was 
changed and the office feature entirely eliminated. The subscrip- 
tion, by which it was proposed to secure funds, was somewhat 
slow and was delayed by the greater need brought by the burn- 
ing of Dartmouth Hall and by the construction of Wheeler Hall 
to meet the demands for increased accommodations for students. 
The Trustees determined to proceed no faster than actual sub- 



2893-1909] Administration of President Tucker. 493 

scriptions warranted and the building was finally completed 
only through the gift of $50,000 by Stephen M. Crosby of the 
■class of 1849, who advanced that sum conditioned on an annuity 
to himself. The laying of the corner stone, September 25, 
1901, was used as an opportunity to celebrate the one hundredth 
anniversary of the graduation of Daniel Webster, but in view 
of his relation to the country this occasion also was treated 
as of civic rather than academic interest. The gathering of 
the alumni was large, almost every class from 1841 being repre- 
sented, and many others came to honor Webster's memory. 

The exercises, which extended over two days, began on the 
afternoon of Tuesday by a gathering in the church, where, 
besides choral singing by a large body of students who had been 
trained for these and the exercises of the following day by Mr. 
Charles H. Morse, the musical director of the College, two 
addresses were given, one by Professor Charles F. Richardson 
on "Mr. Webster's College Life," and the other by Professor 
John K. Lord on "The Development of the College Since the 
Dartmouth College Case."^ A game of football followed on the 
Alumni Oval. 

In the evening there was a celebration of "Dartmouth Night" 
by a torchlight parade, led by the college band. The Faculty 
and students wore academic gowns, the classes being distin- 
guished by different colors, and the alumni appeared in a Webster 
costume of blue coat, buflf waistcoat, stock, dickey and tall hat. 
The parade was enlivened by transparencies, and floats on which 
were carried Webster's carriage and huge plow. A few speeches 
were made from a platform in the college yard, and were followed 
by an illumination, fireworks and a bonfire on the campus. 

Wednesday was the great day of the occasion and in the morn- 
ing the crowd again filled the church. Broken by the choral 
singing of the students the exercises were a brief address by 
President Tucker on the relation of Webster to the College, 
a notable oration by Hon. Samuel W. McCall of the class of 
1874 on Webster as orator, statesman and man, and the confer- 
ring of honorary degrees. Under the same propitious skies 
which cheered all the exercises, the corner-stone was laid in the 
afternoon, Lewis A. Armistead, the great-grandson of Webster, 
performing the rite, after which Bishop Abiel Leonard of Utah, 
of the class of 1870, offered a prayer, and ex-Governor Frank S. 

1 A complete programme and report of the exercises entitled The Webster Centennial was 
«dited by Ernest M. Hopkins and published by the College. 



494 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xv. 

Black of New York, of the class of 1875, gave an address. A 
later meeting for personal reminiscensces of Webster was followed 
in the evening by a banquet at which speeches relating to Web- 
ster and the College were made by prominent alumni and men 
in public life. 

Six years, in which there was a change of plan that necessitated 
a change in the foundations, elapsed before the hall was com- 
pleted. It was first used for the opening chapel service of the year, 
September 26, 1907, but was not formally dedicated till the 
i8th of October, when "Dartmouth Night" was made to serve 
as a dedication. Around the walls were hung the portraits of 
Wheelock and his successors, and of many whose names are 
great in the history of the College, including two of Webster 
prominently displayed, and in the apse was his office desk. In 
his introductory speech President Tucker described the construc- 
tion and the purpose of the building and in declaring, on behalf 
of the Trustees, its formal opening said : 

I set apart this hall to the uses for which it was designed — to preserve the 
honorable and inspiring traditions of the College, to bring our illustrious 
dead into daily fellowship with the living, to quicken within us the sense of 
a common inheritance and of a common duty, to enlarge our knowledge of 
men and of the world through the spoken word of scholars, discoverers, patriots 
and benefactors of their kind, to refine our manners and to stimulate our 
taste through access to art, to give us the full advantage of quick and ready 
contact of one with another, of each with all, and of all with those who rep- 
resent the interests, the intellectual wealth and the moral necessities of the 
world; and having fulfilled in us these objects of our desire, to send us out 
year by year inspired by example and fellowship, and charged with the sense 
of duty. 

The buildings which were erected during these years were 
equally divided between productive and non-productive build- 
ings. The latter were erected wholly with funds that were 
given for such purpose or with bequests that were unrestricted. 
The former, including most of the dormitories, were built as 
investments, and the amount thus invested, including the cost 
of improvements, like water, heat and electricity, was $901,000. 
The College was fortunate in securing as its architect for all of 
them Mr. Charles A. Rich, a graduate of the class of 1875 and 
a member of the firm of Lamb and Rich of New York, who to 
his skill as an architect added the interest of an alumnus. All 
the buildings were erected according to a plan, that grew as 
expansion called for it, but that from the beginning related each 
new structure to existing structures and also made provision 



1893-1909] Administration of President Tucker. 495 

for future development. In its expansion the College gradually 
acquired by purchase all the private holdings about the campus 
that had not previously come to it, and the advance of its build- 
ings around the campus followed a consistent plan, not fixed in 
time or details, but steadily progressing as opportunities offered 
and needs required. 

The Nathan Smith Laboratory, which was designed and built 
by Mr. E. H. Hunter, the superintendent of buildings and 
grounds, was opened in 1908. It is a brick building two and one 
half stories high, adapted for the work of the Medical College, 
standing just north of the old medical building, and containing 
besides lecture rooms, library and reading rooms, four small 
laboratories and the laboratory of the State Board of Health. 
It cost $20,000 which was secured through subscriptions of the 
alumni of the School and the gifts of its friends. 

It was at this period that the preparations were begun for a 
new gymnasium. The first suggestion was made by Professor 
John W. Bowler, the director of the gymnasium, to the under- 
graduates, and then taken up by a committee of the alumni, 
which undertook to raise a subscription for its erection. The 
estimated cost was $125,000, though it finally reached $190,000, 
and the subscription was so far successful that the Trustees 
began work in 1909, and the corner stone was laid as a part of 
the ceremonies attending the inauguration of President Nichols. 

The increase in the number of students, so clearly indicated 
by the growth of the dormitories, also made itself manifest in 
the crowded state of the chapel. In 1903 an additional hundred 
seats were gained by a gallery in the west end of the nave. The 
gain thus secured soon proved insufficient and five years later, 
after the discussion of many plans, it was decided to adopt a 
plan of Professor H. E. Keyes to move the apse bodily forty 
feet back and to connect it to the main structure with new walls, 
thus lengthening the nave and with the addition of bays on 
either side increasing the seating capacity of the chapel about 
three hundred.^ 

Among the buildings at this time was one that was of great 
service to the College although not distinctively a college build- 
ing, the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital. This was built 
by Mr. Hiram Hitchcock, a trustee of the College, in memory 

1 The accommodations again proving inadequate, in 1912, again under the plans of Professor 
Keyes, the transepts were extended, giving an added dignity to the building as well as making 
it much more commodious with a seating capacity of nearly i ,500. The desk was then removed 
from the end of the chancel to the side of the nave. 



496 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XV. 

of his wife, Mary Maynard Hitchcock, and opened for use 
May, 1893. It was put into the charge of a corporation and 
trustees of its own and yet it had a direct connection with the 
College, through the provision that its staff of visiting physicians 
should always be the Medical Faculty of the College, and this 
assured the largest possible use of its clinical opportunities by 
the medical students. At the same time the hospital was of 
inestimable service to the College at large in its provision for 
the care of the sick. For the former condition of sickness, 
when students remained in their own rooms with only the atten- 
tion of kindly but unskillful friends, was substituted the care 
of trained nurses under the most favorable conditions, and the 
community likewise came to know the value of a hospital. 
The site selected for the hospital was a tract of seven acres 
on the northern side of the village, and no expense was spared 
to make the construction and appointments of the building as 
perfect as possible and its appearance architecturally attractive. 
Among the gifts which were made to the College during this 
period for other purposes than the construction of buildings 
none were more noteworthy than those of Mr. Edward Tuck of 
the class of 1861. His business relations had for many years 
required his residence in Paris, but he had kept alive his interest 
in the College and in the spring of 1899 he made a personal 
visit of President Tucker the occasion of a gift to the College of 
$300,000 in honor of the memory of his father, Amos Tuck, 
who was also a graduate of the College in 1835 and a trustee 
from 1857 to 1866. The securities constituting the gift steadily 
increased in value, so that by 1907 they were worth $500,000. ^ 
In indicating the object of his gift Mr. Tuck applied it 

First and principally to the maintenance of the salaries of the President 
and Faculty; second and in minor part to the maintenance and increase 
of the college library. It is my expectation that the present and future 
Trustees will apply a portion of the income to the increase of existing salaries 
whenever the best interests of the College demand it, and a portion of the 
salaries of additional professorships which may in the future be established 
in the College proper or in post-graduate departments, should such be added 
at any time to the regular college course. 

In carrying out the wish of Mr. Tuck the Trustees made a 
special appropriation of $4,000 to the library in 1900, and at 

I In December, 1910, Mr. Tuck still further added to his munificent gift to the College by 
the donation of $500,000 to its general fund, but with the purpose that its income should be 
used in advancing the salaries of the Faculty. His total gifts rising above $1,000,000 more 
than double that of any otlier individual benefactor of the College. 



1893-1909] Administration of President Tucker. 497 

the same time added $200 to the salaries of the full professors, 
and again a like amount in 1907. But Mr. Tuck's hint of a post- 
graduate department did not pass unheeded and in considering 
the matter the attention of the Trustees, so the President wrote/ 

Was arrested by the fact that a largely increasing number of the graduates 
of the College was entering the more influential kinds of business, banking, 
foreign commerce, and the like, but without any preparation comparable 
with that through which others were passing into the professions. This 
situation, of serious import to the College, as it appeared to the Trustees, 
was put before Mr. Tuck. Advanced courses of study, especially in economics, 
which might give in part the preparation called for, were outlined. The 
example of the Thayer School of Civil Engineering was adduced as an illus- 
tration of what could be done to give professional standing to a hitherto 
unrecognized kind of work. The proposal was made looking to the estab- 
lishment on similar lines of the Amos Tuck School of Administration and 
Finance. 

To the proposal that so honorably linked his father's name 
with a department of the College Mr, Tuck gave instant and 
hearty assent by cable and by letter, and, in January of 1900, 
the Trustees formally established the School. The announcement 
of it was made in the fall of 1899 and a year later it was opened 
with an attendance of four students in the advanced and eleven 
in the lower class. 

The faculty of the School, as at first organized, consisted 
wholly of members of the Academic Faculty, but it was soon 
given a more independent character by appointments of its 
own, including those of a director and a secretary. To a limited 
extent members of the general Faculty still gave instruction, 
and in addition persons from abroad gave lectures on special 
subjects. For three years the School occupied the Hubbard 
house, but in 1902 it removed to its new home in Tuck Hall. 
This was the gift of Mr. Tuck who, to further the interests of 
the School by providing it with suitable quarters, put at the 
disposal of the Trustees in the spring of 1901, for the construc- 
tion of a building, securities amounting to $135,000. Its pro- 
vision for lecture and class rooms, offices and library has been 
ample for the accommodation of the School and some depart- 
ments of the College. 

The requirement for admission was the possession of a bach- 
elor's degree, but credit was given for advanced electives in 
undergraduate courses, and, as in the Thayer School, students 
were allowed to relate the courses of the College and the School 

» The Dartmouth Bi-Monthly. 
33 



498 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xv. 

so as to complete the two in five years. The courses of instruc- 
tion, requiring eighteen hours in each semester, included, besides 
modern history, economics, sociology, and the modern languages, 
diplomacy, finance, accounting, insurance, transportation, admin- 
istration and law, subjects that were necessary for a business 
training, though not a substitute for an apprenticeship to any 
particular kind of business. 

The Tuck School was not only an additional department and 
an increase in the general equipment, it was a part of a general 
movement looking toward a broadening of the work and the 
efiliciency of the College, and the high standard adopted by it 
was influential toward that end. The scholarship of the College, 
especially as affected by the growth in numbers, was a matter 
of constant and serious consideration, and one made particularly 
prominent by the union of the Chandler School with the College. 
The preparation demanded of students entering that School 
was not as high as that demanded of students entering the Col- 
lege, and a strain was put upon scholarship by having students 
of different degrees of preparation recite in the same classes. 

Candidates for the B.S. degree were not required to present 
for entrance either Greek or Latin, but in their stead a larger 
amount of mathematics, modern languages and science. No 
one of these subjects received in the schools the emphasis that 
was given to Greek or Latin, which were required of candidates 
for the A.B. degree. The former occupied at least three years 
and the latter at least four years, and apart from any question 
of the relative value of the classics and modern languages or 
scientific subjects, courses in the classics gave a training that 
in coherence and continuity was not equalled by courses that 
were broken and shorter in time. The difficulty of finding a 
sufficient substitute for the classics for preparation for college 
in the matter of time still remains, but the attempt to equalize 
the preparation demanded of candidates ifor the different degrees 
was made by successively increasing the requirements for the 
B.S. degree in 1894, 1895, and 1898, and again in 1905. 

Another influence that worked for a time injuriously to scholar- 
ship was the extension of the elective system that followed upon 
the addition of several new departments of instruction. Such 
departments could of course find room in the curriculum only 
at the expense of existing departments, and mostly in the shape of 
electives, so that the work that had been before prescribed was 
greatly reduced, and by 1896 limited to freshman year, except 



1893-1909] Administration of President Tucker. 499 

as certain subjects, like history, were required as preliminary 
to so many other subjects as to become practically prescribed. 
The result of so many free electives, as were now opened, was 
often a lack of concentration and purpose and of consequent 
waste, and in 1902 the President brought before the Faculty for 
consideration the question of scholarship as affected by admis- 
sion and the curriculum. 

After long discussion a "group" system was adopted in the 
requirements for admission and in the curriculum. The require- 
ments for admission were not increased, except for the B.S. 
course to take effect three years later, but they were divided 
into groups, extending the latitude of choice, from which the 
subjects for admission were to be chosen according to the degree 
desired. In the curriculum the system required that a student 
should continue in freshman year the subjects which he presented 
for admission, as far as they were offered in that year, and that 
after freshman year he should arrange his electives among three 
groups in such a way that one subject, called a "major," should 
be pursued for three years in one group, and that one subject, 
called a "minor," should be pursued for two years in each of 
the other two groups. The prescribed studies and those thus 
restricted by the groups constituted about forty per cent of the 
college course, and with the prerequisites in certain subjects 
very materially diminished the range of free electives, giving to 
the studies of each student a greater definiteness and coherence. 
A few years later, in order that incentives might be added to 
restrictions in support of scholarship, the scheme of college honors 
was greatly enlarged and made prominent by public recognition 
of those attaining them. 

It was at this time that the College, in company with many 
other institutions, gave up Greek as a requirement for admission 
and for the bachelor's degree. It was accepted, if offered for 
admission, and as if to show that the College was still hospitable 
to the humanities, students were allowed to begin the study of 
Greek in the freshman year, but the number of those presenting 
Greek or taking it in college has steadily declined. With the 
removal of Greek, Latin remained as the one distinctive feature 
of the A.B. degree, and as there was nothing in the requirements 
of the course to distinguish that degree from the B.L. degree 
there was no reason for continuing the two. The B.L. degree 
was, therefore, given up in 1905, twenty-one years after it was 
first conferred. Henceforth the College conferred in course 



500 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XV. 

only the degrees of A.B. and B.S., the master's degree in course 
having been last conferred in 1894. 

In 1900 there was a beginning of a summer school. There 
had previously been an attempt at one in 1881, which as a 
purely private venture, wholly in scientific subjects, had been 
conducted by Professors Emerson and Bartlett and their assist- 
ants in the departments of astronomy, physics and chem- 
istry during a session of five weeks. The Trustees allowed the 
use of the laboratories, but assumed no responsibility for the 
school, and it was not mentioned in the catalogue. It had a 
creditable history and a fair attendance but continued only 
three years. 

The later school, whose first session opened July 5, 1900, was 
in charge of members of the Faculty but was not supported by 
the Trustees, although its announcements found a place in the 
annual catalogues. Its principal object was "to furnish in- 
struction to teachers in grammar and high schools and acade- 
mies," but the courses were open to others. The director of 
the school was Professor T. W. D. Worthen and instruction 
was given during four weeks in ten departments, and many 
general lectures given. The school was popular from the begin- 
ning and in 1903 attained the dignity of a "Faculty" in the 
catalogue and the publication of its list of students. Its period 
was extended at the same time to five weeks, and two years later 
to six weeks. The large number of students which it attracted 
for the purpose of doing work in advance of their classes or of 
making up subjects in which they had failed soon made it desir- 
able for the Faculty to legislate in regard to its conduct, and still 
later for the Trustees to assume responsibility for it, which they 
did in 1910. 

The most striking feature of the administration of President 
Tucker was the growth of the College, but other features deserve 
consideration. The change in the appearance of the college 
plant was very noticeable. The disappearance of the old hedge 
about the college yard and of the fence about the campus was 
more than justified by the neatness with which the grounds 
were kept. What had been the order of Commencement week 
was now extended throughout the year. The ragged turf of 
the campus became smooth under the constant use of the lawn 
mower, and harmonized with the well kept grounds about all 
the college buildings. The care with which the buildings and 
grounds were kept had an influence on college manners. More 



1893-1909-] Administration of President Tucker. 501 

comfortable and more esthetic surroundings softened asperities 
and worked, sometimes in connection with discipline, as in the 
abolition of horning in 1896, for a less turbulent life. They also 
had their effect in dress, for at the opening of the commons 
dining hall the sweater was excluded as a dress for meals, and at 
the same time it was forbidden as an outer garment at the chapel 
service. The social life of the College found a new expression 
and a new impulse in the celebration of " Carnival Week" in May 
of 1899, which as "Prom Week" later became a fixed feature 
of the year. 

One of the chief characteristics of the College has always been 
its democracy, but with the growth in numbers, the greater 
proportion of the students who came from wealthy families, and 
the increase in the number of fraternities and of chapter houses, 
many of the alumni began to express fear lest there should be a 
weakening of the ancient spirit. The situation was one to which 
the administration was fully alive and measures were taken to 
preserv^e not only the democratic spirit but the college spirit 
against the divisive effect of cliques and fraternities. No one 
class, not even the senior, was allowed exclusive use of a dor- 
mitory, but each dormitory was held open to members of every 
class, and the rooms were so graded in price that the rich and 
the poor were brought together. 

To prevent the separation of the fraternities from the general 
interests of the College, the Trustees restricted each chapter 
house to accommodations for fourteen men and did not allow 
any one to be used as a boarding place for its members. These 
restrictions prevented a fraternity from having a life independent 
of the College, since all its members were obliged to eat, and 
most were obliged to room, in association with others. The 
opening of College Hall and of the college club, of which every 
student was a member, with a living room in which all had 
equal right, tended to foster the democratic spirit. This was 
also fostered by an observance begun in 1895 and developed 
into a custom, known as "Dartmouth Night." A gathering of 
the college on the evening of September 17 in the old chapel in 
Dartmouth Hall, around which were hung the pro traits of many 
Dartmouth worthies, was the occasion of speeches by alumni 
and members of the Faculty in the attempt, in the words of 
President Tucker, "to capitalize the history of the College," and 
to make real for the undergraduates its heroic traditions. If 
in the recurring years the exercises of "Dartmouth Night" have 



502 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. xv. 

sometimes been filled with self-laudation, it has been no more 
than should be true of any college that has a history of which 
it ought to be proud, and that is proud of the history which it 
has, and " Dartmouth Night " has not only been effective in arous- 
ing the enthusiasm of the students for the College, but, being 
the first of its kind, it has been an example which many 
other institutions have followed. 

In 1893 there was a change in the relation of the College and 
the College church. Dr. Leeds, whose pastorate, then extend- 
ing to thirty-three years, was as remarkable in its strength as 
in its length, felt the need of help at the same time that it seemed 
desirable to adopt the system, so advantageously used in other 
places, of a board of college preachers. Such a board headed 
by Dr. Leeds and President Tucker, till the resignation of Dr. 
Leeds in 1900, was established and proved effective, but a return 
was had to a single pastorate in 1904, when the Rev. Ambrose W. 
Vernon united the care of the church with the professorship of 
divinity in the College. Required attendance at church, which 
had existed from the beginning of the College, was abandoned 
in 1903. The vesper service of the chapel was still retained 
as a required exercise, but it always was kept an academic service 
in charge of the President or of some member of the Faculty. 
It was in this service that President Tucker came into closest 
contact with the moral and spiritual life of the College and 
exercised a powerful influence. His weekly talks, sometimes 
dealing directly with phases of college life, but more often with 
the principles underlying character and conduct, were marked 
by insight and sympathy, not only carrying their own applica- 
tion but widening the intellectual horizon in the appreciation 
of truth. They were a constant stimulus to a fuller and larger 
life and to many they proved the means of moral regeneration. 

President Tucker had the rare gift of inspiring confidence 
and the assurance of personal sympathy. Unable from the 
crowding duties of his office to take part in instruction, he made 
it his practice at the opening exercise of each college year to 
address the students on some subject of vital interest in academic 
life, and also to meet them soon after the opening of each year, 
and at other times as he thought best, to set before them his 
plans for the College as far as related to their interests, and to 
call upon them for such part as they could take toward their 
execution. The confidence in him as a man and a leader thus 
secured, and reinforced through the personal interviews of those 



1893-1909-] Administration of President Tucker. 503 

who sought his advice or came before him in cases of discipHne, 
gave him a wonderful hold upon the students. His personal 
and official relations with individuals, especially in the increas- 
ing size of the College, were relatively few, but the chapel in the 
morning service of week days and the vesper service of Sunday 
gave expression to his personality, and the men were first atten- 
tive out of admiration and affection and then because what 
he said appealed to their manhood, stimulating their minds 
and awakening their consciences. 

The presidency of a large and growing college, entailing the 
direction of its educational, financial and administrative inter- 
ests, with constant adjustment of men and measures, was a task 
that allowed no relief. President Tucker worked easily, but he 
worked unremittingly. Vacations brought release from the rou- 
tine of administration but not from the demands of educational 
leadership and the cares of almost continuous building 
operations. The imperative need for rest led to a five months' 
trip to Europe in the winter and spring of 1899, but his other 
absences from Hanover were to fulfill official or personal obli- 
gations. Under such heavy and long continued strain his 
health gave way, a difficulty with the heart appearing in March 
of 1907, and under the advice of his physician he resigned the 
presidency. 

Before accepting the resignation, and in order to prevent 
a break in the succession, if possible, the Trustees unanimously 
invited Rev. Francis Brown, D.D., to the office, but, as fifteen 
years before, he was unable to accept the invitation. At the 
earnest entreaty of the Trustees and in the belief that a successor 
would soon be found. President Tucker consented to hold his 
resignation in abeyance, and, while relieved of some of his duties, 
to continue the guidance of the College. The search of the 
Trustees for a new president, though many persons were con- 
sidered and in one or two cases invitations were extended, 
proved unavailing for a long time. After nearly two years had 
passed without a successor being found. President Tucker an- 
nounced that he could no longer remain in office and insisted 
on the acceptance of his resignation. His last public act as 
President was to speak at the Commencement dinner of 1909 ^ and 
his official connection ceased with the close of the financial year, 
July 15, 1909- 

» He wa3 not able to be present at the Commencement exercises of 1907 or 1909. In the 
former year his place as presiding officer was taken by Judge W. M. Chase of the Trustees, 
and in the latter year by Professor Lord. 



504 History of Dartmouth College. [Chap. XV. 

The progess of the College has been described, but the results 
of an administration of sixteen years may best be seen by a 
brief summary. In those years the registration of under- 
graduate students rose from 315 to 1,107, and the total enroll- 
ment of the College, exclusive of the Agricultural College, from 
431 to 1,233. In the same years the number of the resident 
faculty engaged in instruction, exclusive of the Agricultural 
College, increased from twenty-seven to eighty-four, and the 
whole number of college officers, resident and non-resident, 
increased from forty-two to one hundred and seven, besides 
twenty-five lecturers on special subjects whose connection with 
the College was only temporary. 

In 1893 the College possessed fifteen buildings (including 
Culver and Hallgarten just taken from the Agricultural College), 
and several houses in the village. Of these, by 1909, Dart- 
mouth Hall was old only in name and site, it having been built 
entirely anew after the fire, Rollins chapel and the medical 
building had been enlarged. Chandler Hall had been remodelled 
and enlarged, and the interior of the Observatory, the gymna- 
sium, the Inn and Culver Hall had been remodelled. To these 
fifteen buildings twenty more were added, besides more than a 
dozen houses in the village, built or bought for residential pur- 
poses. Five of these twenty were houses bought and altered 
and enlarged for occupancy by students, and fifteen were wholly 
new.^ Thirteen of them were dormitories, one was a dormitory 
and commons hall combined, four were recitation halls or labora- 
tories, one was an auditorium and one was a heating and lighting 
plant. In keeping with this enlargement the invested trust 
funds of the college rose from $1,028,929.87 in 1892 to $2,871,- 
640.61 in 1909, and the additional value of the plant was $1,318,- 
128.06. 

The moral estimate of Dr. Tucker's administration must be 
left mainly to the perspective of the future. Yet it can now 
be said that the high ideal of life and conduct, which he steadily 
and successfully set before the college, resulted in a better morale, 
better conduct and better manners, and in general in a more 
self-respecting mode of college life, but the true measure of the 
influences that were dominant during his administration can 
be taken only when those, whose college days were passed under 
them, have had time to show in the duties of responsible man- 

1 The five were Sanborn, Crosby, Hubbard (afterward removed to give place to the Park- 
hurst Administration building), Elm and Proctor Houses. 



1 893-1909] Administration of President Tucker. 505 

hood how lasting was the impression which they then received, 
and how loyal they themselves have continued to be toward 
the College and the ideals there set before them. Beyond the 
effect on individuals that measure will also take into consider- 
ation the influence that formed the alumni into a highly organ- 
ized body, enthusiastically loyal to the College and devoted 
to its advancement, and an administration that found the 
College small and made it large, that found it weak and made it 
strong, and that brought its divergent parts into a united whole 
and established it securely in the hearts of its alumni cannot 
fail to hold a leading place in the great periods of its history. 

The long search of the Trustees for a successor to President 
Tucker was concluded in June of 1909 by the choice of Ernest 
Fox Nichols, Sc.D., professor of experimental physics in Colum- 
bia University. Though not a graduate of the College, Professor 
Nichols was happily acquainted with it, for before going to 
Columbia he had been professor of physics at Dartmouth for 
five years, from 1898 to 1903, where he not only did distinguished 
work as an experimenter in physics but highly commended 
himself as a teacher and a member of the Faculty. That he 
was willing to give up the position of an investigator, which 
had already brought him world-wide recognition and still opened 
great opportunities for future success, and to take up the work 
of an educator indicated how highly he estimated the value of 
that work, and inspired confidence that in his new position 
he would secure results equal to those of the position which he left. 

Entering upon his new duties with the new college year he 
was inaugurated under the happiest auspices, October 10, 1909. 
The day was one of rare autumnal beauty and the great assembly, 
consisting of representatives of the leading educational insti- 
tutions of the country and of the alumni associations of the 
College and of other eminent men, made the occasion notable. 
The success of the first years of his administration, giving con- 
fidence as well as hope for that which is to come, belongs to the 
present rather than to the past and must be left to some later 
historian. 



SPECIAL TOPICS, 



THE COLLEGE LIBRARY. 

While Wheelock's School remained in Connecticut a consider- 
able number of books designed for the religious instruction of 
its members was in the course of years gathered from various 
sources. Many were sent from England and Scotland in 1764 
and later by the trustees and patrons, among whom mention is 
especially made of Rev. Dr. A. Gifford of London, and the Society 
for the Diffusion of Christian Knowledge among the Poor. Some 
of these are still to be found. Many of them were primers and 
Bibles and text books in theology for the use of the Indian chil- 
dren, now of course valuable only as curiosities. 

In 1770 Theodore Atkinson, Senior, gave £100 sterling for 
the library and hinted that he would do something more in his 
will, but the first considerable addition made to it after the es- 
tablishment of the College came in 1772 by the will of Rev. 
Diodate Johnson of Millington, Ct., who gave to the College his 
library, besides a generous sum of money for general purposes. 
In May of that year. Professor, then tutor. Woodward being 
librarian, the library of the College was housed in the southeast 
chamber of his house (on the site of the house occupied at present 
by the Graduates' Club), and this arrangement was confirmed 
by vote of the Board in August. There Dr. Belknap saw it in 
1774, «ind commended it, though not large, as containing some 
very good books; and there it remained until 1777, when. Pro- 
fessor Woodward becoming immersed in politics and, doubtless, 
unable to give attention to the library, the Trustees authorized 
its removal to some proper place in the College, and the appoint- 
ment of a librarian by the President with the advice of the tutors. 
It was placed in the second story of the Old College, at the south- 
east corner of the Green, in the second room from the north end, 
looking out to the east. From certain allusions we are led to 
infer that Dr. Wheelock's library, which was of considerable 
magnitude, was deposited in the same room, on distinct shelves, 
and it would seem probable that with clerical assistance, as in 
other branches, he personally directed the administration of 
it until his death in 1779. 

506 



The Library. 507 

Professor Smith was then regularly appointed librarian, and 
in connection with the general codification that occurred the 
library regulations also were reduced to form. The use of the 
library was restricted to the officers and students of the college 
and resident graduates. 

In 1783 the library was, for some reason (perhaps the ruinous 
state of the old building), removed to President John Wheelock's 
house; and in connection with the plans for the new college 
building, in 1784, it was earnestly hoped to secure another build- 
ing expressly for the library and apparatus, to stand northwest 
of Dartmouth Hall, corresponding to the position of the chapel 
(built in 1790) at the south. But nothing was accomplished 
beyond instructing Professor Woodward, who was then master 
builder, to see what could be done, and to build it when means 
could be obtained. As soon as Dartmouth Hall was in condi- 
tion for it, probably not before 1791 (though voted in 1790), 
the library was arranged in a narrow room in the second story 
of the front projection, extending over the middle of the build- 
ing, afterward taken into the chapel. The books were hastily 
removed to the President's on the occasion of the fire in 1798, 
but immediately returned and there remained until Dartmouth 
Hall was remodelled in 1 828-1 829. The books were then trans- 
ferred to a large room on the lower floor extending quite across 
the north end of the building. 

The system of library charges had become so odious at this 
period that it was common pastime to abuse the books by 
throwing them down stairs, and by other indignities. It was sar- 
castically allowed by the students as a point gained for the au- 
thorities that the books were by this move got down stairs in a 
body rather than piecemeal according to the other fashion. 

In 1840, on the completion of Reed Hall, the library was lo- 
cated in the eastern half of the second story of that building, 
where it remained until the erection of Wilson Hall in 1885. 

For the support of the library the students were charged at 
the first according to the use each one made of it. The rates 
established in 1774 (already given in the laws), based upon the 
number and kind of books taken from the library, were replaced 
in 1793 by a stated charge of two shillings a quarter ($1.33 P^r 
year) upon each student, increased to $1.50 a year in 1802, and 
to $2 in 1819, and reduced to $1 in 1825. In 1828 a return was 
made to the old system, with a rate of ten cents for each folio, 
eight cents for a quarto, six cents for an octavo and four cents 



5o8 History of Dartmouth College. 

for a duodecimo. These rates remained nominally unchanged 
until about 1855, when all special exactions on account of the 
library (and some other things equally odious) disappeared into 
the general tuition charge. 

During the earlier years the annual product of these charges 
was considerable. By the vote of 1793 (in force certainly until 
1820) one quarter of the proceeds was given to the librarian for 
the services of himself and an assistant whom he was permitted 
to employ, and the remaining three fourths were appropriated 
for the enlargement of the library. During Professor Smith's 
administration, from 1779 to 1 809, the annual amount was 
from £40 to £60 ($130 to $200) and afterwards sometimes 
greater still. 

Professor Smith himself kept, with the aid of his wife, a book 
store in his house, and was enabled thus to purchase for the 
College at favorable discounts, which one sees always faithfully 
credited. He made journeys on horseback to Boston to make 
these purchases, one being specially noticed in January, 1795, 
when he made that trip and spent three days in Boston upon 
college business at a total cost to the College of £1-6-0. In 1796 
the library took a chance in the college lottery, first class, but 
like other adventurers in that field drew a blank, and we do not 
find the attempt repeated. The library was opened in 1793 to 
the two upper classes on Monday, and to the others on Tuesday, 
of each week from one o'clock to two. In 1796 the arrangement 
was changed so as to admit seniors and sophomores on Mondays, 
alternately, and the juniors and freshmen on the corresponding 
Tuesdays, between the hours of two and three. No more than 
five were admitted to the library chamber at once, and no one 
was permitted to handle a book except by permission from the 
librarian. 

These hours remained unchanged until 1828, when the hours 
were reduced to one day in the week, and the librarian's salary 
from $50 to $25, but in 1849 the library was ordered opened 
weekly at the same hours as before, to the seniors on Monday, 
to the juniors on Tuesday, to the sophomores on Wednesday 
and to the freshmen on Friday, But long before this, on account 
of the growth of the society libraries, together with the anti- 
quated character of much of the college library, and of the rules 
governing its use, there had ceased to be any general use of the 
college library by the students. During all this period the limit 
of time for retaining books, fixed in 1796, remained unchanged, 



The Library. 509 

viz., two weeks for any book except a folio or quarto, for which 
four weeks were allowed. 

From a manuscript catalogue of 1775 we learn that the library 
then contained 75 folios, 40 quartos, 112 large octavos and 80 
small octavos, an aggregate of 305 volumes, besides a large num- 
ber of duplicates, including Bibles and Testaments in French 
and English, hymn books and school text books, of some as 
many as fifty each. After the Revolution additions began to 
come in from without. Thus in 1783 books were given by Dr. 
Oliver, and a polyglot Bible by Rev. J. Murray of Newbury- 
port. The expenditure of the legacy of £100 for books from 
Theodore Atkinson, in 1784, was entrusted to Dr. Rose of London. 
In 1788 Rev. Mr. Homer of Newton gave St. Athanasius's works 
in two volumes folio, and "Harwood's Classicks octavo." In 
1795 James Hughes gave Chambers' Dictionary, and in 1796 
a donation came from Dr. Waterhouse. In 1799 a considerable 
number of books was given by Moses Fiske, late tutor and editor 
of the village paper. In 1800 Rev. Mr. Bonner gave £50, and 
in 1803 Noah Webster received thanks for the gift of the Specta- 
tor, referring, I suppose, to the New York newspaper of that name 
which began to arrive in 1799. In 1805 Caleb Brigham and 
Elisha Ticknor gave each £100 in books, and obtained as many 
more from other persons in Boston, and in 1807 Joel Barlow 
presented a copy of his "Columbiad." 

A manuscript catalogue was prepared in 1802 by Cyrus Perkins 
which involved the purchase of a half quire of paper, but it 
is not now extant. The first printed catalogue was issued by 
direction of the Board in 1809, immediately after the death of 
Professor Smith, by his successor Professor John Hubbard. 
It was printed in Hanover by Spear at a cost of $30. Therein 
are set down 2,900 volumes, nearly 1,000, however, being dupli- 
cates of the character already indicated, of which 262 were 
adapted to children. 

In 181 7 the library was seized by the University party and 
detained two years. During this period it not only made no 
growth but suffered loss. The library taxes collected by the 
College (in all about $400) were not of course expended upon 
it, as the money was more urgently needed for another purpose, 
and the University, still more embarrassed, was not in a condi- 
tion to do any thing for it. 

One considerable donation was made to the library during 
this period by Thomas Walcott, Esq., of Boston, the same who 



510 History of Dartmouth College. 

was in his boyhood a protege of Wheelock and scholar in the 
Moor's School here. The donation consisted of 450 volumes, 
of considerable value, including the better part of a collection 
of antiquities which he had been long gathering, among them 
being a folio Latin Testament printed in 1487.^ But these books 
were given on a pledge of secrecy as to the name of the donor, 
and upon the condition that they should be returned to him 
in case the University should be ruled out by the courts. Im- 
mediately upon the happening of that event in 1819, President 
Allen with Mr. Walcott's consent, removed the books from the 
library before its surrender, and in January, 1820, took them 
with him to Bowdoin College, where they fill one of the most 
valuable alcoves in the library. The only other additions made 
to the library under the University were the Poems of Ossian 
given by Professor Carter, and four or five other volumes pur- 
chased, all of which were removed before the library was given 

up- 

While the University was still in possession, in order to lay 
a foundation for one of the subsidiary actions which it was 
deemed necessary in 1818 to begin, so that the case might be 
presented to the Courts in all its aspects, efforts were made to 
negotiate a sale of the library' to Andover Theological Seminary, 
and elsewhere, and in that connection ostensible reasons for 
wishing to part with it were assigned, such as that "many of 
the books were ancient, injured and defaced and not suited to 
the existing needs," but we may readily believe that the case 
was not so bad that in other circumstances a sale would have 
been thought of. The price demanded was $2,100, but a pur- 
chaser could not be found willing to incur the annoyance of a 
contest over the title, and the plan failed. As soon as the library 
was restored to the ancient jurisdiction it was made the recipient 
of a handsome addition of 470 volumes from Isaiah Thomas, 
the eminent publisher of Worcester, Mass., who had been for 
many years an earnest friend. These books bear a special label. 

The library when recovered by the College was found to 
have suffered much, not only from injury and defacement of 
the books but from the loss of several hundred volumes, so that 
in 1820, with the addition of Mr. Thomas's donation, the num- 
bers were no greater than they were in 1815, but by 1822, 
through the purchase of books, $400 having been appropriated 
for classical works, and many having come by gift (Judge Story 

N. H. Register, 1819, p. 97. 



The Library. 511 

being among the donors), the Hbrary was as large as that of the 
two societies, but as many of the books were duplicates and 
many others were antiquated, it was of far less service. 

In 1828 thanks were given to Daniel Raymond for two volumes 
of political economy. In 1830 President Lord, in acknowledg- 
ing to the Earl of Dartmouth the receipt of the portrait of his 
grandfather, spoke of the library as very deficient in works on 
natural science and English literature. The Earl replied in 
1 83 1 saying that he had in his library a cyclopaedia which his 
grandfather had intended to give to the College, now of course 
out of date, and offered to send in its place other books such as 
the President would suggest. He was told that anything in the 
department of natural science would be acceptable, but I find 
no evidence that anything came of it. 

In 1 83 1 $1,000 were appropriated for the increase of the library, 
mostly in foreign books, purchased of Mr. Rich in London. In 
1838 $2,000 were expended in medical books, mostly foreign, 
for the library, of which sum $1,000 was a private donation of 
Doctors Mussey and Oliver, and the remainder derived from 
matriculation fees since 1831. 

In 1846 Professors Haddock and Young, a committee of the 
Faculty, at the desire of the Board reported upon the condition 
of the library that it was "deficient in every branch of learn- 
ing. " They estimated that no less than $10,000 would be needed 
to "place us upon a standing, in reference to books, correspond- 
ing with our position in other respects when compared with 
similar institutions." It was in this year that Messrs. Joel, 
Edmund, and Isaac Parker gave $1,000 to the library, to which 
Mr. Isaac Parker added $500 in 1859. In 1850 the Faculty, 
through Professors Haddock and Brown, made to the Board a 
special representation of the unsatisfactory condition of the 
college library, and urged some systematic effort toward im- 
provement. The books were unclassified and hard to find, and 
many valuable sets were mutilated and incomplete, and the 
whole in every department far short of the collections to be 
found at even our second and third rate institutions. 

This deplorable state of affairs was somewhat relieved by the 
gifts of Dr. Shattuck and Professor Shurtleff in 1852, which, 
as we have earlier seen, were expended in Europe by Professor 
Young, who went there in the following year to purchase books 
and apparatus. His report shows that $4,000 were committed 
to him for books, of which $3,750 were spent for books and 



512 History of Dartmouth College. 

binding (the balance going for freight and expense), distributed 
among several departments in the following shares: astronomy 
and natural philosophy $940, Latin $840, intellectual philosophy 
$550, mathematics $180, chemistry $100, and English literature 
$1,140. 

Seventeen years elapsed before any further gift of importance 
came to the library, for though a residuary bequest, including 
a portion of his library, was made by Henry Bond of Philadel- 
phia in 1859, it was forty years before it became available. In 
1869 Senator Grimes, in making a gift of $5,000 to the College, 
assigned $1,000 of it for the library, and in the same year Miss 
Mary C. Bryant of Boston, in memory of her grandfather. Pro- 
fessor John Smith, so prominent in the early days of the College, 
gave $6,000 in bonds, which, as they depreciated in value, she 
subsequently replaced by $5,000 in cash, as a fund whose income 
should be used in "the purchase of books and an alcove devoted 
to them. " A fund of $5,000 was established in 1883 by the legacy 
of Hon, George G. Fogg of Concord, N. H., and one of $6,000 
in 1898 by the legacy of Mrs. Charlotte M. Haven of Ports- 
mouth, N. H. In 1899 the reversion of the Bond legacy fell 
in, amounting to over $12,000, and two years later Mrs. Susan A. 
Brown of Hanover left $10,000, subject to an annuity, to estab- 
lish a special library fund to be known as the "Roswell ShurtlefT 
Memorial fund." 

By the will of Mellen Chamberlain of Chelsea, Mass., of the 
class of 1844, who died June 25, 1900, the College was given his 
library and a fund for the library amounting to $2,700. In 1905 
Mrs. Addie E. Kenerson of Boston gave, in memory of her hus- 
band, A. H. Kenerson of the class of 1876, $3,000 as a fund, of 
which the income was to be spent in the "purchase of unusual 
and rare books." The general library fund was increased by a 
bequest in 1910 of $1,000 by Rev. Edmund F. Slafter of the class 
of 1840, but the next year witnessed the largest addition to the 
support of the library in the completion of the Parker fund. 
The terms of the will of Judge Joel Parker and of the settlement 
of his estate by agreement with his heirs have been heretofore 
given. The property, assigned for the benefit of the library by 
that settlement, became available in 191 1 and with its accumula- 
tions raised the Parker fund to $37-500, making the total funds 
for library use at that time about $83,000. 

The account of the removal of the library to Reed Hall in 
1840 and from there to Wilson Hall in 1885 and of the union 



The Library 513 

of the libraries of the literary societies with that of the College 
under the management of the Trustees in 1874, and of the ab- 
sorption of those libraries by the College in 1903 has been else- 
where given, Down to 1874 the librarian was always a member 
of the Faculty who added the oversight of the library to his 
other duties, and received a small stipend for it. In that year, 
on the union of the libraries, Mr. C. W. Scott, who was largely 
responsible for the change, became librarian and gave his whole 
time to the administration of the library. After four years the 
office was given to Louis Pollens, who was also professor of 
French. During eight years his ardent love of good literature, 
his knowledge of books and his efficiency of administration made 
themselves manifest in the development of the library and in 
the rapid increase of its usefulness. In 1886 he was taken from 
the library to become the head of the combined departments 
of French and German, and the Rev. Marvin D. Bisbee was ap- 
pointed in his place and remained at the head of the library for 
twenty-four years. 



514 History of Dartmouth College. 



THE LITERARY SOCIETIES AND THE 
FRATERNITIES. 

No mention has come down to us of any students' society 
existing in the College during the life of the first Wheelock. The 
atmosphere of the time was hardly suited to the freedom from 
restraint which the existence of such a society would imply, 
especially if it affected secrecy. During the decade which fol- 
lowed three great societies grew up, which dominated the life 
of the College for more than two generations. The idea of a so- 
ciety of this kind first appears here, in practice, some four years 
after the death of the first President, and (what may or may not 
be significant) during the long absence of his successor in Europe, 
while the reins of government rested in the hands of the genial 
and kindly Professor Woodward. 

The Society of Social Friends was the first to be formed in 
1783. Owing to the entire loss of its records for the first ten 
years, it is impossible to ascertain the particulars of its origin. 
That it was formed with the tacit or active assent of the college 
oflficers then on the ground is unquestionable, and we hear noth- 
ing of disapprobation from the President on his return. One 
can but imagine that the idea of the society may have been 
derived from the Linonian, then thirty years old at Yale. A 
rival, denominated the United Fraternity, was organized some 
time in the summer of 1786, by nineteen undergraduates.* This 
was no doubt an offshoot from the other, induced by some jeal- 
ousy of the nature of which, however, we have at this day no 
hint. 

Its existing records, down to November, 1787, are mere copies 
from pre-existing memoranda; the constitution bears date 
August 29, 1786, and the earliest record informs us that the first 
public meeting of the Fraternity was held that day, "at which 
time, the Society being convened, an oration was exhibited by 
Elihu Palmer, and Peter Roots was initiated as a member of 
s*^ Society." The next week there was also an oration, and 
Messrs. Nash, Palmer, Smith and Storrs were appointed a com- 
mittee to procure a library, and we cannot doubt that this was 

> Elihu Palmer of the class of 1787. ten of the class of 1788, viz., Oliver Ayer, B. C. Curtis, 
E. Dudley, J. Huse, A. Hyde, J. Montague, A. Parish, C. Smith, W. Storrs and J. Wilder, and 
eight of the class of 1789, viz., John Bush, M. Chittenden, J. K. Guarnsey, M. Morey. J. Nash, 
T. Smith, J. W. Thompson and J. West. 



The Societies. 515 

a feature already of the Social Friends. It appears to have been 
in both at first merely an incident to the primary objects of the 
association, which were literary composition, oratory and de- 
bate, but from the force of circumstances it soon grew to be in 
both the central point of existence, and at last the only element 
of life. 

Membership in both was originally open, by election, to persons 
in any undergraduate class. Indeed, it was not by the consti- 
tutions restricted even to members of college. Students of med- 
icine and of law and other persons were occasionally admitted,^ 
but members of either of the societies were not eligible to the 
other. Absolute unanimity of election was not required, though 
three to seven might interpose a qualified negative. 

The struggle for members in the lower classes became so violent 
that articles respecting the initiation of members were at length 
framed by a joint committee, accepted by the societies, and 
formally ratified at a joint assembly held in the chapel August 
21, 1790. Additional regulations were agreed on in the course 
of the same college year for a joint administration of the libraries, 
whereby the books of both societies were brought together into 
a "Federal Library," open to all. It was agreed "that in order 
for the convenient keeping of the library a bookcase be procured 
at the joint expense of both societies." 

The librarians were to attend weekly on Saturday from two 
to three o'clock; earlier the hours had been from five to seven. 
The regulations though few and crude were in general tenor 
similar to those of modern times. Except by seniors, who could 
take two books, only one book could in general be taken at a 
time, but it could be retained two weeks. Failure duly to return 
it involved a fine of sixpence a week, and damages done to books 
were charged for at the discretion of the librarian, while non- 
payment of fines debarred one from library privileges, and, if 
persisted in, subjected one to expulsion. 

These two societies were purely local in character, and never 
sought relations with any similar bodies elsewhere. But in the 
summer of 1787 there was added a third, the Phi Beta Kappa, 
having the same objects and methods of literary and forensic 
improvement, but different from the others in being avowedly 
a branch or "chapter" of a foreign organization, and in having 

1 In 182s the Socials refused to receive medical students. The Praters at the same period 
"to avoid imposition," excluded all medical students except those who had graduated from 
the College. In i8s3 both Societies after some hesitation, declined to admit students of the 
Scientific Department. 



5i6 History of Dartmouth College. 

no library. The two elder societies were inclined at first to re- 
gard it with distrust, but seeing that its membership was lim.ited 
in number and drawn exclusively from the two upper classes 
mainly on the basis of scholarship, they agreed, after some 
hesitation, in declaring its membership to be not incompatible 
with their own. An account of this society is given farther on. 

The articles regulating selection of members by the Socials 
and Fraters proving "defective, and not answering their original 
design," which was "to preserve the strictest equality," they 
were reformed, August, 1793, in fifteen articles. It was provided 
that neither society should admit more than half of any class; 
that all the classes should be enumerated on the fourth Monday 
after the fall vacation by a standing joint committee; and that 
freshmen should not be admitted into either society until after 
the enumeration, with other details intended to preserve at all 
times an equality of numbers. The agreement was to remain 
in force until repealed by a majority of each society, and upon 
any violation of it a forfeit of £18 was demanded, to be appro- 
priated to enlarge the federal library. In 1796 it was further 
agreed that no candidate should be solicited in behalf of either 
society except by joint committees from both who should convey 
the invitations together. In April, 1799, the articles were 
again revised, but in October of the same year, in consequence 
of violations of the agreement in electioneering, etc., they were 
by mutual consent totally abrogated and the federal library 
was divided. The result was an unusual rivalry, which before 
the end of the year made each librar>' larger than the united 
library had been before.^ 

Thenceforth the library of each was kept separately in the 
study room of some member. That of the Socials was kept in 
the southwest corner room of Dartmouth Hall, second story, 
then distinguished as No. i, middle section. In 1805 the College 
allowed the societies to fit up two small rooms out of the unoc- 
cupied spaceways on the second floor of that building, to be 
esclusively devoted to their books. The Socials received the 
space over the southwest front entrance, adjoining the room 
where their books were then kept; and the Fraters, the corres- 
ponding space over the northwest entrance. These rooms had 
each a window, but were little more than large closets. Books 
were delivered through a half door opening waist-high into the 
entry, and students wishing to inspect the books on the shelves 

' The Dartmouth, 1872. P- 402. 



The Societies. 517 

were admitted two or three at a time, according to special regu- 
lations governing the privilege. In 18 10 the Socials voted to allow 
no more than two students at a time to enter their room. Shelv- 
ing was the same year ordered for the south side of it and a cur- 
tain for the window. It was here that the libraries were kept 
at the time of the excitement of 18 17. The year 1825 brought 
a great increase of interest in the libraries. The sophomore 
members of the Social Friends, among whom were Alpheus 
Crosby and Charles D. Cleveland, obtained from the Faculty 
the room adjoining their library on the north and furnished it 
as a reference room for classical study, which they called the 
"Philological room": "the object being to procure the best 
aids to a critical study of the Greek and Latin classics. For 
this the members taxed themselves to the utmost of their means. 
The books were procured in the fall of 1824, and placed in this 
room in the following spring. As soon as the room was opened 
it was largely resorted to, and a new impetus given to study." * 
It was at first in charge of a member of the class who occupied 
it. In 1826 it was regularly accepted as an enlargement of the 
Social Friends' library, and used as a reference and reading 
room. 

The Fraters, not to be outdone, obtained at about the same 
time for a reading room, the room adjoining their library toward 
the south which they called their "Athenaeum." The vote to 
establish it was passed in April, 1825. In 1826 this and the lib- 
rary room were thrown together. With this new life and expan- 
sion came the need of greater stability, and acts of incorporation 
were obtained by the Socials in 1826, and by the Fraters in 1827. 
Each had then about 3,000 volumes. In 1828 rooms were al- 
lowed by the College to the librarians, and the library of the 
Socials increased so much that in 1831 they ordered their libra- 
rian's room to be taken into the library, which seems at that time 
to have extended quite across the south end of Dartmouth Hall 
on that floor. In October of that year this Society ordered 
insurance to be effected, and eight large baskets to be prepared 
for the removal of the books in case of fire. The libraries re- 
mained in these rooms until their removal to Reed Hall on its 
completion at Commencement in 1840. There they found 
quarters comparatively palatial, filling the west half of the 
second floor, where they had the same relative position as before, 
the Socials having the southern section and the Fraters the north- 

1 Crosby Memorial, etc., p. 21. 



51 8 History of Dartmotith College. 

ern. The eastern half of the floor was devoted to the College 
library, the three together then numbering 15,000 volumes. 

The reading rooms were of course removed with their respective 
libraries to Reed Hall, but, being found inconvenient there, 
the College in 1843 appropriated the "west junior recitation 
room" in Dartmouth Hall (understood to be the southwest 
corner, lower fioor) to the joint use of the societies for that 
purpose, but they tired of the additional burden and in 1845 
gave it up to an "Athenaeum Company," which itself soon died 
out. Notwithstanding abrogation of the federal relations in 
I799» a mutual interchange of library privileges, so evidently 
advantageous to all parties, was generally enjoyed, more and 
more fully as the lapse of years softened old animosities and 
rivalries. 

The earliest regulations of the Fraternity library provided 
that folios and Guthrie's history in quarto might be retained 
three weeks; quartos and Blair's lectures in folio, two weeks; 
octavos and pamphlets, one week; members could take at one 
time no more than one bound volume and a pamphlet, and no 
one was permitted to take a book for any person not a member 
of the Society, unless for a member of the Faculty. Viola- 
tions of these rules were punished by deprivation of library 
privileges (in later years called a "veto") and by fines. Modern 
regulations have been little more than an expansion of this 
germ. 

The Fraternity library in July, 1787, comprised thirty-four 
volumes of books and twenty-three of magazines : ^ Blair's 
lectures, 2 vols.; Sheridan's dictionary, i vol.; Sheridan's lec- 
tures, I vol.; Guthrie's history, 13 vols.; Gibbon's history, 6 
vols.; Robertson's history, 3 vols.; Moore's Views in France, 
2 vols.; Moore's Views in Italy, 2 vols.; Citizen of the World, 
2 vols.; Persian Letters, 2 vols. Besides donations, the enlarge- 
ment and preservation of the library were secured by an initia- 
tion fee of twelve shillings, which was gradually increased until 
it amounted in modern times to five dollars. 

The societies were early subject to internal dissensions that 
repeatedly threatened their existence. The Socials, as it happened, 
were the chief sufferers. In an outbreak of this spirit in June, 
1793, their constitution and early records were stolen and wholly 
destroyed. The constitution was at once reproduced as nearly 
as possible from recollection by juniors Riddle, Bailey and Spar- 

i U. F. Records, July lo, 1787. 



The Societies. 519 

hawk. In 1795 committees were appointed to make up anew 
the record of the members, and of the early history of the so- 
ciety, and to draft an account of these disturbances, but of the 
result of their labors nothing now remains but a fragment of 
report of the latter committee. 

It informs us that "the causes of the commotion were both internal and 
external"; that "a general spirit of revolution pervaded the members of 
college, the heads of most teemed with new projects. Here you might see 
two or three in deep consultation, there walked others no less zealous, and in 
their own apprehension plotting profoundly, within the Society reigned cold- 
ness and distrust. Exercises were ill performed, a multiplicity of excuses for 
neglect were invented," and discipline was attempted. It happened that 
several juniors, members of the Society, received invitations to join the Phi 
Beta Kappa, "the rage of a considerable part of College became if possible 
greater than ever, their enmity against the Phi Beta Kappa was transferred to 
societies in general. As soon as the initiation of these was performed, what 
was before shown as transient gleams and sudden flashes, was now like a torrent 
of fire from the top of Etna. The occupants of the room which contained the 
sacred deposit were absent; their room was entered; the constitution and 
records of the Society were taken. The deed was soon known. The discon- 
tented now shouted on all sides, they thought the ruin complete. . . . The 
officers of College interposed, but what could be done — equivocation and 
falsehood made a prominent feature in the character of those who were called 
on to give evidence." 

Some members were arraigned before the Society and after 
examination at several meetings five were expelled. Six others 
were dismissed with their own consent. The United Fraternity 
also, in June, expelled five of its members for "using their en- 
deavors to overthrow that Society by various scandalous and 
perfidious methods." Mr. Dewey, in a published column of 
reminiscences, gives an account of the manner in which they were 
foiled.^ He says that there was at this time in College a clique of 
about a dozen exceptionally dissipated and reckless boys, sons of 
wealthy and prominent parents, that were constantly in some des- 
perate plot and clung firmly together. They wished to break up 
all the societies in College. Their plan with the Praters was to 
station themselves close to the secretary's desk at the time of 
meeting and at a signal to make a rush and seize the constitution 
and records and carry them off and destroy them. The secre- 
tary suspecting some violence slipped the book unperceived 
under his coat and making an excuse for a moment's absence 
hastened to deposit it with one of the professors, with whom 
it remained more than three months, 

1 W. W. Dewey in Parent's Monitor, March, 1850, a paper published in Hanover. 



520 History of Dartmouth College. 

In 1799 there was renewed agitation directed against secret 
societies in general. As to freemasonry the Board of Trust 
declared itself in a decree that any student becoming a mason 
should thereby cease to be a member of College. Ten years 
after the first disturbance, in May, 1803, like scenes were enacted. 
The constitution of the Social Friends was once more stolen, 
and had again to be drafted from memory, "as nearly resembling 
the lost one as recollection could dictate," by Thomas A. Merrill 
and seniors Joseph A. Marshall and Thaddeus Osgood.^ Two 
members were expelled, and the secretary (Paul Tenney), from 
whose room the records were taken, fell under suspicion, and 
narrowly escaped a similar fate. The new constitution besides 
the affirmation of secrecy was reinforced with the following 
obligation: "We the subscribers solemnly promise that we will 
never unite ourselves with any association whose interests are 
in any way incompatible with the interests of the Society of 
Social Friends, and that we will never enter into any combina- 
tion for its abolition or its division, its union, or the union of 
its property, with any other Society." Several refused to sub- 
scribe to this and were, in consequence, suspended from mem- 
bership, but in the course of a few weeks most of these returned 
to their allegiance. 

The United Fraternity was at this time involved in difficulties 
more deeply than before, though its records were again saved. 
Ezekiel Webster, a member of the junior class, gives this account 
of it to his brother, Daniel, May 28: ^ 

Dear Daniel, — In my last letter (May 21) I informed you that a little 
affair had taken place which so discomposed me that I had neither control 
of my thoughts nor the command of my pen. The affair was nothing less 
than the discovery of a plot which had for its object the destruction of the 
Fraternity, and not merely the Fraternity, but the conspirators aimed at 
the abolition of every Society in College. With the secrecy of Jesuits they drew 
up a paper to that effect, and used all their influence to procure signers, and 
they were but too successful. A solitary few, apparent rari nantes in gurgite 
vasto, remained unshaken: but one in the Freshman class, one in the Sopho- 
more and three in mine, many of our best members however were absent. 
By a little exertion we procured more than a fourth, a number sufficient to 
prevent the alteration of any article in the constitution. The conspirators 

' These were all members of the Phi Beta Kappa, of which Merrill was vice-president, and 
Marshall, secretary. The records of that society show that on May 23 a special meeting was 
called by the order of the president, "the present interest of the Alpha of N.H. rendering it 
necessary," and these three gentlemen with F. Hall, B. Kimball, R. D. Mussey, A. Peabody, 
G. C. Shattuck, S. Farley, S. Gile and A. Greeley, all Socials and some of them initiated but 
four days before, received at their own request an honorable dismissal, and on June a were by 
unanimous vote restored to their membership. 

2 Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. I, p. 138. 





SOCIAL FRIENDS. 





CXITED FRATERNITY. 





.ITERARV .XDEI.IMII. 



The Societies. 521 

driven to despair by this measure, and conscious of possessing a large majority, 
made an effort to expel those members who were opposed to them and then 
they could alter the constitution or destroy it at their pleasure. Seaver was 
designated as the first victim of their cursed policy, but the attempt failed 
and we are yet members. I am sorry to tell you that every fellow from Salis- 
bury but myself enlisted under the banner of the conspirators. . . . This 
conspiracy I believe is unparalleled. . . . If it has a parallel it is the con- 
spiracy of the Pazzi against Lorenzo the Magnificent. It is not like Catiline's, 
for Catiline himself was a saint compared with some of the fellows who plotted 
this scheme. 

Owing to these double disasters it is impossible now to name 
the foundation members of the Social Friends, or to determine 
the original form of its constitution, which is said to have been 
written in cypher. From extrinsic sources we learn that the 
latter was very crude and imperfect, that there was no provi- 
sion for clerk or treasurer, no stated time of meeting, and that 
the function of president was to be exercised by the members in 
rotation in alphabetical order. These defects were of course 
soon remedied. The draft of 1803, though characterized by 
greater brevity and simplicity than that of the Fraters, is still 
clear and complete. In addition to other usual officers both 
societies from a very early date elected from the graduate mem- 
bers near the College, generally from the Faculty, a primarius 
or "prime president," to whom reference was made in cases 
of difficulty. The societies both e'xacted a solemn pledge of 
secrecy. That of the Socials, in 1803, was as follows: "You 
solemnly affirm you will never divulge anything respecting the 
constitution, the transactions, or any other seCrets of this Society, 
So help you God." The appeal to Deity was omitted in the 
constitution of 18 10. The affirmation exacted by the Fraternity 
in its original form (1786) was to like effect but appealed simply 
to the sacred ties of honor and friendship, and added a promise 
not to withdraw from the society without its unanimous consent, 
or to unite with any other until legally dismissed. To this last 
condition the Phi Beta Kappa, as already noted, was soon after 
its formation made an exception. 

The feature of secrecy died out by degrees. It had already 
fallen into neglect, when from some special provocation in 1826 
the Socials ordered that any member divulging secrets should 
be expelled, and likewise if, knowing another to be guilty, he 
refused to expose him. In 1830 the penalty was reduced to a fine 
of $5. In 1833 the Fraternity, upon a proposition to abolish 
the rule as useless, confined the obligation of secrecy to the sole 



522 History of Dartmouth College. 

particulars of the meaning of the symbols on the medal, and 
after a preliminary vote October 25, 1836, the Socials abrogated, 
September 6, 1837, their rule altogether. 

The following extracts from the Fraternity's first constitution 
show how carefully it inculcated friendship and morality: 

Art. 2d. We agree mutually to proffer our friendship to each other, and 
engage as a firm, united and indissoluble fraternity to promote each other's 
prosperity and welfare. 

Art. 3d. That nothing immoral or profane, nothing that is detrimental 
to friendship, benevolence or good order shall be countenanced by the Society. 

Art. 4. If any member shall be found guilty of any indecent behavior, or 
of any thing that is uncharacteristical of a gentleman he shall upon convic- 
tion make immediate satisfaction to the Society or be expelled. 

Art. 5. That each member shall at all times and places address and treat 
each brother with that affability, complaisance and respect as shall be produc- 
tive of peace, harmony and unanimity throughout the whole Society. 

Art. 6. That it shall be a duty incumbent on every member of the Society 
to promote and maintain the laws and order of this institution. . . . 

Art. 7. That all classical distinctions (so far as respects the Society) shall 
entirely be eradicated from between the different classes when convened. 

The Socials declared in a word, that "no person of immoral 
character shall be admitted," and in the draft of 1810 that 
"no spirituous liquors shall be purchased with the monies of 
the Society, or drunk in it. " 

For a distinguishing badge each member of the societies was 
provided with a medal hung by a ribbon. That of the Socials 
was of silver, one and seven eighths inches long and one and three 
sixteenths inches wide, while that of the Fraters was oval and 
not so large. The secret of the symbols is lost. These were 
in common use from the very earliest period for about fifty years, 
in later times they were disused. There were also secret signs 
and a grip, now forgotten, and a cypher for correspondence too 
cumbersome for use. The motto of the Socials was Sol Sapientiae 
Nunquam Occidet, that of the Fraters Amicitia Sit Sempiterna. 

Diplomas were in early days given at graduation and upon 
honorable dismission. A plate was after a time engraved for 
the joint use of the societies, and parchment diplomas from it 
were in use certainly as late as 1840. Although the ordinary 
administration of the societies was in general in the hands of 
the undergraduates, graduated members have always been held 
to retain the privileges of membership, and the right to vote 
upon any matters relating to the general welfare of the society, 
as was expressly determined in the critical periods of 1817. 



The Societies. 523 

The revised form of diploma established by the Social Friends 
in 1796 was: 

Amicorum Socialium 
societas 
Omnibus has litems perlecturis 
Amicitiam et Salutem 
Notum sit quod nobis placuit . . . A.B. pro moribus probis, virtute* 
eruditione, ingenioque suo Sociali, hoc diploma conferre; et eum omnium 
bonorum amicitiae et hospitiis praesertim Fratrum nostrorum commendare. 
Cuius Sigillum Societatis nomenque nostri primarii testimonio sint. 
Datum ex Collegio Dartmuthensi anno Salutis humanae et Societatis 
institutae. . . . 

The stated meetings of the societies were held weekly during 
term time, that of the Praters from first to last on Tuesday, and 
that of the Socials on Wednesday, in the evening or afternoon. 
Thursdays belonged to the Phi Beta Kappa, Monday to the 
Theological, and Priday to the Handel Society. The place was 
at first, doubtless, in the old College Hall, but after its destruc- 
tion in 1789 other quarters had to be found. We find the Frater- 
nity in 1790 charging a committee with the duty of securing 
accommodations for this purpose. In succeeding years we find 
occasional mention by both of the place of meeting, generally 
at Graves's (afterwards Alden's) hall, a room in the second story 
of the building that stood where the Dartmouth Bookstore now is, 
but sometimes in the chapel. On June 24, 1800, the Fraternity 
was unable to hold its regular meeting, since the Masonic lodge 
was celebrating St. John's day and "both halls in the village 
were occupied." In 18 12, "it being found that the expense of 
attending the meetings in the hall is exhorbitant, " the govern- 
ment of College offered to the rival societies the use of the lecture 
room, to be fitted up at their expense and occupied by them free 
of rent, as a "Society Hall." This was the eastern room south 
of the middle entry on the lower floor of Dartmouth Hall, just 
then vacated by the medical department on the completion of 
its new building. To this, as numbers increased, was perhaps 
added the room adjoining it on the south and extending through 
to the southern transverse passage. At all events when the 
northern one of the two was absorbed into the chapel in the im- 
provements of 1 828-1 829 the societies were accommodated in 
the southern one until it was enlarged in 1836 at their solicitation 
so as to extend quite across the building. This was the "Society 
Hall" of modern days, until about 1870 it was given up and ap- 
propriated for the "north Latin" recitation room. 



524 History of Dartmouth College. 

The ordinary weekly meetings were designed primarily for 
the performance of literary exercises. The Fraternity constitu- 
tion prescribed the "exhibition" of an oration and a dispute, 
besides occasional dialogues and declamations. That of the 
Socials left the character of the exercises to be "such as the society 
should think proper." While the number and character of the 
exercises varied greatly in both societies from time to time, a 
debate and one or more orations seem to have been during all 
their existence uniformly required. The questions of course 
took a wide range; among those early discussed by the Fraternity 
may be noted (July i, 1788), "whether the time spent in studying 
Greek (excepting the Testament) would not be spent more 
profitably in studying the French language?" Another, May 
24, 1 79 1, "whether the Society known by the name of Phi Beta 
Kappa is advantageous to this University? " The only restric- 
tion in subjects that has been observed is a vote of the Socials, 
October, 1827, excluding those of a theological character. 

The scheme that had been devised for preserving an equality 
of members between the two rival societies was lamentably 
deficient. Indeed, after its abrogation in 1799, we do not know 
that any treaty existed for a considerable period, although 
matters came to such a pass that the college Faculty was obliged 
to interfere. The state of things was thus rehearsed by a member 
of one of the societies to his fellows: 

"Should any one ask what are those evils so much to be deprecated, I 
would beg leave to direct him to the degrading scenes of a fishing campaign. 
Let him look on with an unprejudiced eye and he will witness practices that 
strike at the root of our social enjoyment, corrupt our morals and call into 
exercise the vilest passions. Slander and personal abuse are indulged, without 
bounds; the meanest arts of deception are practiced without shame." An- 
other said: "Private characters are often involved, the most bitter animosi- 
ties are created and an implacable hatred which attends them not only at 
College but through life. " 

This rivalry, which had existed in one way or another since 
the commencement of the societies, was now, as the Faculty 
justly declared, causing "extensive detriment to the College." 
They accordingly in October, 18 14, "recommended and en- 
joined" a system of alphabetical assignment. To this the "rival 
societies objected as having a tendency to destroy that emula- 
tion which is necessary for their improvement in literature," 
and proposed other measures, directed to the same end, based 
upon a prohibition of electioneering, but the Faculty adhered 



The Societies. 525 

to their resolution, and in November, 18 15, soon after the ac- 
cession of President Brown, promulgated an amended set of rules: 

"The students of College shall be assigned according to the odd or even 
places which their names shall hold on an alphabetical list of the members 
of each successive class, i. e. the first, third and fifth, etc. shall be assigned to 
one society; the second, fourth, sixth, etc. to the other. The assignment shall 
be made in the fall term on the first Monday of November. If any shall enter 
after this time, they shall take their places alphabetically at the foot of their 
class and shall be assigned in the manner above stated on the first Monday 
of the ensuing May. In case of future additions of members they shall be 
assigned in the same manner on the first Monday of November and May an- 
nually. . . . The individuals holding the odd or even places shall fall 
to the Societies alternately during each year. Of the members thus assigned 
each society may elect all or so many as it shall think proper, but neither 
society shall elect any of those assigned to the other; nor shall any member 
solicit admission into the Society to which he shall not be assigned." It was 
provided however, that "in case any individual should have a strong predilec- 
tion for the Society to which he shall not be assigned ... he might be 
received into that society after the lapse of one year, but neither society should 
ever have in any class a greater number than that assigned to it. " 

These last clauses v/ere found still to leave room "for that 
detestable practice called fishing whereby the societies suffer 
much degradation," and in November, 1825, the plan was so 
far modified, on motion of the societies themselves and with 
the approval of the Faculty, as to abrogate elections and make 
the assignments absolute, and to include all the students without 
exception. No person refusing to join the society to which he 
was assigned could ever be admitted to the other, or have any 
privilege of either library, and no person dismissed or expelled 
from either society could thereafter enjoy any privilege of either 
library. The first assignment in 1825 was determined by lot 
and was to be enjoyed thereafter alternately. 

This system, with occasional friction, was enforced as long as 
the societies had any active life, and even after the societies 
practically ceased to exist, assignments were still made, in order 
to carry out the agreement between the College and the societies. 

Besides their ordinary weekly meetings both of the societies 
had from the first stated anniversaries, commenced as a birthday 
celebration and annually observed for many years by public 
exercises at Commencement. The first record we have is of an 
oration and an original tragic dialogue by the Fraternity, at 
the end of the first year of its existence, in the College Hall, on 
Tuesday, the day preceding Commencement, 1787. The next 



526 History of Dartmouth College. 

year there was a dialogue by ten members of the Fraternity, an 
epilogue and an oration. In 1790 they exhibited an original 
drama, entitled "The French Revolution," which was printed 
and publicly exhibited also at Windsor, Vt. The dramatic fea- 
ture was original with the Fraters, but the Socials, we know, 
took care not to be behind their rivals, though the record is 
wanting until 1792, when they were on hand with an oration 
and an "entertaining comedy," at five and seven o'clock on 
Monday evening preceding Commencement. The same hours 
on Tuesday were appropriated to similar exercises by the Frater- 
nity. This order was preserved for several years, but, the theatri- 
cal performances being found to intensify the rivalry, it was 
agreed in 1796 to discontinue the practice for two years, and 
thereafter to give one another nine months* notice of any purpose 
to revive it. In 1800 it was suspended sine die. 

In 1 81 1, however, upon a general change of arrangements, 
the practice was revived, the Fraternity exhibiting a tragedy 
written by Nathaniel Wright, and the Socials another written 
by Amos Kendall. These affording another opportunity for 
rivalry, a dispute arose as to the right to occupy Tuesday even- 
ing, the Fraternity claiming it by prescription as having originated 
the fashion of dramatic exhibition and having from the first 
occupied that evening, but for the sake of peace the Fraters on 
this occasion yielded. "On both evenings the College edifice 
was illuminated which made a brilliant and enchanting appear- 
ance. The tragedies were performed before crowded houses 
with much applause." The societies were unable to agree for 
the future and, thereafter, the anniversary exercises of each were 
confined by the Faculty to an oration on Tuesday, in the order 
of their seniority. Down to 1832 these orations were delivered 
by members of the graduating class and, thereafter, by speakers 
from abroad till 1837, when the societies united in having a 
single orator. From 1874 till their dissolution the societies held 
their public exercises but once in three years, and with one 
orator for the two societies. 

During the College troubles of 1816-1819, the societies were 
involved, as we have seen, in difficulty with the authorities of 
the University, but were able to preserve their organization 
and their libraries without serious loss. All their bickerings 
were for the time swallowed up in a harmonious resistance to 
the common enemy. 

After the rise of the Greek letter societies interest in the literary 



The Societies. 527 

exercises of the United Societies, subject before that to violent 
fluctuations, fell into a permanent decline, though the weekly 
meetings were nominally held, and exercises ostensibly required 
down to the close of the year i860. In their decay as debating 
clubs, the societies permitted at times a degree of license that 
was destructive of dignity and good order, though the records 
are generally silent on that point. Sometimes we find in com- 
paratively early times note of a question like this: "Where 
does the fire go, when it goes out?," and in 1828 a minute like 
this: "The whole meeting was a scene of disorder and confusion. " 

Scenes of this kind were not infrequent in the later years of 
the societies' activity at initiations and especially at elections, 
which were hotly contested, with all the arts of the politician, 
between parties formed by combinations among the Greek 
letter societies, whereby the whole College was kept in an up- 
roar for a considerable period, and lasting animosities engendered. 
Legal questions of great nicety often arose on these occasions. 
For example, at the spring election of the Fraternity in 1842, 
Tyler and Fessenden were the candidates for the presidency. 
The existing president, Akerman, declared Tyler elected by ruling 
out as illegal some of the votes that had been cast for one who 
was ineligible to office. A tremendous excitement arose and 
the question was finally determined by a solemn reference to 
Hon. Charles Marsh, and Judge Coolidge, and Judge Kellogg 
of the Vermont Supreme Court, who upheld the ruling of 
Akerman. 

From 1 86 1 the meetings occurred only on the last Tuesday and 
Wednesday of each month in term time and purely for business 
purposes connected with the library and the annual Commence- 
ment anniversary. In 1864, by request of President Smith and 
led by some of the "oudens," the societies joined in a public 
anniversary celebration in November, at which a number of 
literary exercises were performed. They continued the custom 
annually until 1870. In 1867 an effort was made by both socie- 
ties to revive the ordinary literary exercises at monthly meet- 
ings, but after seven or eight occasions running through about 
two years the attempt died out in March, 1869. 

The method of growth adopted for both libraries was mainly 
that of annual donations from the graduating class. Much 
generosity was often displayed, stimulated, of course, by the 
spirit of rivalry between the two societies. In 1869 Hon. James 
W. Grimes of Iowa, a member of the Social Friends in the class 



528 History of Dartmouth College. 

of 1838, gave to the College $1,000 in trust to apply the income 
for the increase of the library of that society. 

Beginning with 1850 statements of the number of books 
claimed by each library were printed in the annual college 
catalogue. Prior to that the official catalogue took no notice 
of the libraries. They were first mentioned in that connection 
in a catalogue issued in 1849 by the students, who were dis- 
pleased with the appearance of the official edition. The state- 
ments of number so made from year to year were misleading, 
as they took no account of losses which were sometimes heavy, 
as all the libraries at all periods suffered much from theft. Pro- 
tection was sought by making an annual count and by holding 
each librarian chargeable under bonds for all books delivered 
to him, but as the librarians were each year elected by the 
members from among themselves out of the senior class, and 
received but small pay, the hardship of holding them accountable 
for thefts, often heavy, was evident. Sometimes the donations 
would hardly make good the losses, and sometimes one tenth 
of the catalogue would be missing. 

Members were at different times in early years expelled for 
this stealing, and their names published in the newspapers. Up 
to 1830 the Fraternity had been the greatest sufferer, and a 
special effort was then made to bring it up to an equal standing 
with the Socials. In 1832 the Socials raised a committee to 
propose some plan for protection. In 1845 a student at the 
point of graduation was exposed as a wholesale robber of books 
here and in the college library, and was expelled from the 
societies and from college. In 1851 the Socials lost nearly 150 
very valuable books, and committees were again raised by both 
societies to devise a way of prevention. The plan proposed was 
to put glass doors before the cases but the objections to these 
were so obvious that the Socials returned to the early method 
of massing their books in one end of their room, protected by 
a counter across the room over which deliveries were made. 

The Praters solved the problem by using doors covered with 
wire netting instead of glass. These worked so well that the 
Socials in 1854 refitted their cases in the same fashion at a cost 
of about $400. This system gave excellent satisfaction and 
was extended to the College library on the union of the libraries 
in 1874. It continued in use until the libraries were removed 
from Reed Hall in 1885. General catalogues of the Socials' 
library were printed in 1810, 1817, 1824, 1831, 1841 and 1857, 



The Societies. 529 

and of the Prater's in 1812, 1820, 1824, 1835, 1840 and 1852, 
and there were several catalogues of members published. 

Prior to 1824 it was forbidden to carry books out of town 
for use in vacation. In that year the rule was changed and a 
system established by which members could "draw" and carry 
away a number of books proportioned to the number of weeks 
of the vacation, which might extend in the winter, for seniors, 
to fourteen. To most this was an idle farce, and it brought 
great damage to the books, which, it was complained, "were 
thumbed by every old farmer and snuff-taking maiden till the 
contents (if any remained) were rendered as brown as the ingre- 
dients of her box." ^ 

When the Chandler Scientific Department went into oper- 
ation the question arose as to admitting its students to the 
literary societies and to the privilege of the libraries, and was 
in September, 1853, determined adversely in both points, con- 
trary to the recommendation of at least the majority of the 
committee of the Socials. There was in consequence a new 
society organized on a similar plan in the Scientific Department, 
October, 1853, under the style of the Philotechnic Society, which 
was incorporated the following June by the New Hampshire legis- 
lature, and by October, 1854, its library numbered 300 volumes. 
The southeast room on the first floor of the Chandler building 
was devoted to this library, and the society meetings were held 
in the adjoining recitation room. At the time of the union in 
1874 the library numbered 1,200 volumes. 

The union of the libraries of the societies with that of the 
College, mentioned on a previous page, was made possible by 
a change in the constitutions of the Socials and the Praters 
adopted December 17, 1873 (that of the Philotechnic Society 
calling for no change), and voted by the societies July 24, 1874, 
on the condition that the Paculty (for which the Trustees were 
substituted in 1879) should appoint a librarian and three assist- 
ants and fix their salaries, that the students of the Academic and 
Scientific Departments should pay to the college treasurer 
$6 a year for the use of the library, that the College should pay 
the anniversary expenses of the societies (including an orator 
at Commencement every third year) and $150 annually for the 
increase of each of the libraries of the Socials and Praters, and 
for the Philotechnic Society a proportionate amount according to 
the number of the students paying taxes, and that the College 

1 U. F. Records, May is, 1832. 



530 History of Dartmouth College. 

should maintain a reading room. The Ubrarian was to assign 
each incoming class to the societies according to the existing 
alphabetical method, and was to request the president of the 
senior class to secure the appointment of a committee from 
each society to select the books for purchase with the annual 
appropriation. 

The system was a great improvement upon the old diversity 
of interest, but in course of time developed essential weaknesses. 
For several years the different libraries were kept distinct in 
their separate rooms as before, but the necessity of better classi- 
fication of books growing more and more apparent, a beginning 
was made about 1879 of distributing the books without regard 
to ownership, the societies by special vote having given their 
consent, provided that care should be taken by distinctive labels 
to preserve in each the evidence of its rightful ownership. When 
in 1885 the whole library was transferred to the new building, 
where no provision existed for any separation except by subjects, 
the new system was put into complete operation. 

The transfer of the administration of the libraries to the 
Trustees and the lack of any meetings of the societies soon made 
their existence wholly artificial. Many of the students so far 
from signing the constitution, the one requirement for member- 
ship, did not even know to which society they had been assigned. 
The triennial securing of an orator for the anniversary devolved 
upon resident members of the Faculty, and the committees 
for the purchase of books, ignorant of the history of the societies 
or the character of their libraries, were often wholly indifferent 
in their selections. Duplicates and even triplicates were numer- 
ous; many books were valueless, which the Trustees, having 
only the care of the libraries, had no authority to sell or exchange. 
Large numbers of worn-out books called for rebinding, though 
the cost of the work would exceed the value of the books, and 
it was also difficult to preserve the proof of distinct ownership. 

Under these conditions, which were steadily growing worse 
and hampering the successful administration of the library, 
the Trustees on May 24, 1901, asked Professor James F. Colby 
to investigate the power of the societies "to modify their 
agreements with the College concerning their respective libra- 
ries," with a view to vesting the ownership absolutely in the 
Trustees. The report of Professor Colby, made in the following 
November, showed that a change of ownership could be made 
only by the "express approbation, in person or by proxy, of a 



The Societies. 531 

majority of the existing members of a Society at the time of 
passing the vote." There was no existing record of those who 
might have joined the societies, after assignment, since 1874, 
and much of the record for the previous time was missing. It 
was, therefore, determined to secure a special act of the Legis- 
lature authorizing the sale or gift to the Trustees of the libraries 
of the societies. This was approved March 25, 1903, and in 
accordance with its terms special meetings of the Socials and 
Praters were called for Tuesday, June 23, of Commencement 
week. 

A circular letter had been addressed by President Tucker 
to the members of the societies, explaining the reasons why a 
single ownership of all the libraries was desirable, and asking 
the proxies of those members who could not be present. The 
proxies of the Praters ran to Charles P. Richardson and those 
of the Socials to John K. Lord, who, however, on account of 
illness, appointed George H. Evans in his place. All of the 
societies voted unanimously to transfer by formal sale their 
property to the Trustees of the College, and appointed as agents 
for the transfer, Edward K. Woodworth for the Socials and 
Praters and Frank A. Sherman and John V. Hazen for the 
Philotechnic Society. 

The conveyances were formally made June 27, 1904, and on 
the next day occurred the adjourned and final meetings of the 
Social Priends and the United Praternity. That of the former 
was called to order in Room D, Reed Hall, in the absence of 
David Cross of the class of 1841, the last president of the society, 
by John K. Lord as president pro tern, and James F. Colby 
was chosen secretary pro tern. After the announcement that 
Mr. Woodworth had conveyed to the College all the property 
of the Society, except its record and account books and its seal, 
which were to be deposited in the library of the College for 
perpetual safe keeping, and that the Trustees had accepted the 
trust, the society adjourned, to assemble five minutes later on 
the steps of Dartmouth Hall, which, though the building was 
burned, were still in their original position, and on the steps 
of that building, begun one year after the organization of the 
society and burned the very year of its dissolution, within whose 
walls the society was long housed, the vote was passed and de- 
clared by which the oldest of the literary societies of the College, 
after an existence of a hundred and twenty-one years, was 
brought to an end. The record of the last meeting of the United 



532 History of Dartmouth College. 

Fraternity, of which Charles F. Richardson was the last secre- 
tary, has disappeared, as also that of the final meeting of the 
Philotechnic Society. 

The library of the Northern Academy was also transferred 
to the College by a similar process. The vote to close its cor- 
porate existence and give its possessions to the Colleges was taken 
at a meeting held in Wilson Hall October 31, 1903. Mr. Wood- 
worth was also its agent for the transfer, which was formally 
completed September 12, 1904, and the dissolution of the society 
was duly brought about at a meeting held in the same place, 
December i, 1904, Professor Richardson being the secretary 
to make the final record. 

The cumbersome size of the great societies and certain defects 
in their original plan and management led to the formation after 
a while of other smaller and less unwieldy bodies for more effective 
training in public debate. Among them was a society styled 
the "Independent Confederacy," which was established in 1792 
and continued in active operation some fifteen years, but none 
of its ofilicial records survive, the fragmentary accounts which 
we have of it being drawn from collateral sources. On July 
4, 1796, this society "celebrated the birth of Independence 
[their own anniversary] by an elegant supper" ^ at "Graves's 
Hall," at which sixteen toasts were given. It is perhaps not 
unfair to infer that it was in part a convivial association. ^ At 
Commencement in 1799, besides the usual anniversaries of the 
three other literary societies, there was also an oration before 
the Independent Confederacy. Whether they had enjoyed that 
dignity before cannot as yet be determined. 

In the autumn of that year an effort was made to unite with 
the United Fraternity. An agreement was concluded between 
committees of the two societies (the Confederacy being repre- 
sented by Cyrus Perkins, A. Hilliard and Simeon Lyman), 
that the societies should "coalesce and unite, and become a 
society one and indivisible," that the constitutions should be 
revised, the libraries of both societies united and made to con- 
stitute one library indivisible, that each society should initiate 
the members of the other, that they should assume the general 
title of "Dartmouth Adelphi," and that notice of the arrange- 
ment should be published in the Dartmouth Gazette. The 

I Dartmouth Eagle, July ii, 1796. 

' Samuel Swift in his reminiscences seems to refer to this society, and says that it was orig- 
inally composed of those who did not secure membership in the other societies, and that it was 
currently known as the "Potmetal" society. The Dartmouth, 1872, p. 401. 



The Societies. 533 

Gazette of November 4, 1799, contains a notice substantially as 
follows : 

Advice is hereby given to those who have left this University members of 
the Independent Confederacy that said Society has assumed the name of the 
Dartmouth Literary Adelphi, and is in the future to consist of members 
of the Junior Sophister and Senior Classes. 

Regular meetings will be held on the first Friday of every month when 
such exercises will be attended to as shall be thought best calculated for 
useful improvement. A public oration will be pronounced annually on the 
Tuesday preceding Commencem.ent. 

The library will be attended to weekly as usual. 

Per order Cyrus Perkins. 

Hanover. Dart. College, Oct. 26, 1799. 

The Social Friends seem to have been disturbed by this move 
of their rival, the Fraternity. Their records showthat on October 
30, 1799, after some debate, they elected to their own member- 
ship seniors Perkins and Hilliard and juniors Dutton, Fuller, 
Loveland and Lyman, "of the Dartmouth Literary Adelphi 
formerly the Independent Confederacy," but Perkins and Fuller 
joined the Fraternity in April, 1800. That the "Literary Adel- 
phi," however, retained an independent existence several years 
longer is shown by the fact that it enjoyed the distinction in 
common with the other societies of having its special orator at 
Commencement, but it has left no other memorials, except as we 
find it incidentally mentioned in the records of the other societies 
and in the village newspaper. 

A third society, styled the "Philoi Euphradias," first comes 
to our knowledge as the recipient of an oration by Levi Wood- 
bury on Monday before Commencement, 1809. Again in 181 1 
it was addressed by Jonathan Curtis under the name of the 
"Oratorical Society." Amos Kendall tells us that it was com- 
posed of members selected early in junior year at large from 
both the great societies, on account of supposed superior schol- 
arship, and comprised the flower of both.^ It became thus an 
object of envy to the rest, and in June, 181 1, a conspiracy was 
formed to break it down, by forbidding members of the Social 
Friends and United Fraternity to join it. The matter was 
first broached in a meeting of the Socials, which was numer- 
ically much the larger, and a prohibitory vote was carried accord- 
ing to the programme. Daniel Poor, president of the Socials was 
a Philoi, and immediately demanded a dismissal from the 

» Autobiography of Amos Kendall, p. 62. 



534 History of Dartmouth College. 

Socials, which, not being voted, he declared that he would then 
dismiss himself, and left the chair and the hall; Shepley and 
Kendall and others followed with the same demand. This 
unexpected turn of events broke up the scheme and the Society 
forthwith rescinded its vote and Poor on invitation returned 
to the chair. In November a prohibitory by-law was again 
enacted and in March, 1812, after vain efforts to expel the 
troublesome members, they were punished by a loss of library 
privileges, whereupon eight or ten asked and received a dis- 
mission, but the next month, the parent society coming to its 
senses, all were restored, and we find no further trace of the new 
organization. 

From 1 82 1 to 1828 there existed once more a society called 
The Literary Adelphi, or Adelphian, or Alpha Delta Society, for 
the cultivation of extemporaneous speaking, the only memorial 
of which appears in the fact that Commencement orations were 
addressed to it from 1823 to 1828 inclusive, and in its medal 
which was a pendant of silver, a little more than an inch square. 

There was also a little later the Phi Sigma, having the same 
object as the preceding, an "assembly of debaters," which 
originated with the class of 1827 as a class society. This also 
enjoyed the dignity of a public oration at Commencement in 
1828 and 1829, having in 1827 united with similar associations 
in the other classes forming a general college society with four 
branches.^ There was also at this period, sustained for several 
years by the sophomore class, a burlesque moot court, which 
afforded great amusement and also much improvement in debate 
and the knowledge of the forms of law. The procedure was gen- 
erally criminal, for offences against the common law, as of man- 
slaughter appearing in a case of gallantry toward a young lady. 
There is an allusion in the records of the Phi Beta Kappa Society 
in September, 1838, to a freshman society, but it cannot be 
identified. 

The Antinomian Society was organized for literary objects in 
1 84 1, and met weekly Thursday evenings. Its exercises were 
an oral dissertation of eight minutes, an extempore debate by 
four disputants, to each of whom was allowed fifteen minutes, 
and to volunteers ten minutes, followed by an oration of eight 
minutes. The first meeting recorded was "according to adjourn- 
ment" September 2, 1841, and the last November 10, 1842. 
The presidency was held by members of the Faculty, Professor 

> A Crosby, Memorial of class of 1837. p. 17. 



The Societies. 535 

Young first, succeeded by Professor Crosby. The members 
were of the senior class exclusively. This society was given a 
place at Commencement, 1842, and wa? addressed by Rev. 
J. B. Cheever. 

The Antinomian Society was merged in the Gamma Sigma 
(Tvojdi ffeavTov) whose first recorded meeting was held (agreeably 
to adjournment) March 9, 1843. Its constitution and its 
exercises were similar to those of its predecessor. Professor 
Crosby and President Lord were successively its presiding 
ofiticers. Its members were from the senior class, and juniors 
were admitted in June and July. It was apparently open to 
any who pleased to come in. Twenty-nine were admitted in 
1843, forty-three in 1844, and but nine in 1845. Its last recorded 
meeting was held November 6, 1845. It took a place at Com- 
mencemxcnt with an oration from Rev. O. A. Bronson in 1843, 
and one from Rev. John K. Lord in 1844, both of which were 
published. An orator was engaged for 1845, but failed to appear. 

These were all local societies, but following them came the 
modern Greek letter societies that now occupy the field under 
the chapter system, after the same fashion as the Phi Beta Kappa, 
and still adhering to the plan of secrecy. Except in one or two 
instances at the beginning, they were alike in receiving new 
members only from the three upper classes, until 1884, when 
they all admitted freshmen. 

The first society was the Psi Upsilon, the Zeta chapter, which 
was established in 1841. In the next year the Kappa Kappa 
Kappa Society was founded, largely by the efforts of Professor 
Haddock, and has continued to be strictly local. The third 
in order was the Alpha Delta Phi Society, which was established 
in 1847 by the members of the defunct Gamma Sigma Society. 
Seven years later. In 1853, was established the Pi chapter of 
the Delta Kappa Epsllon Society, which for the first year ad- 
mitted freshmen. In the same year the Zeta Psi Society obtained 
a foothold in the formation of the Psi chapter, but it had a 
checkered existence. At first it was prosperous, but declined 
later and practically ceased to exist in 1863. It was revived 
in 1871, but only again, after a brief struggle, to come to an 
end with the graduation of the class of 1873. 

The Kappa Sigma Epsllon, Eta chapter, was a freshman 
society established in 1857. Three years later the Zeta chapter 
of the Delta Kappa, also a freshman society, sprang up as a 
rival, and these two in varying proportions divided the freshman 



536 History of Dartmouth College. 

class between them. They served as a testing ground for the 
"upper societies," as the others were called, and also afforded 
an opportunity to upper classmen to turn the initiations into 
occasions for organized hazing. Both societies fell into dis- 
repute, which was partly the occasion of the admission of the 
freshmen into the upper societies in 1884, as above stated, 
when the freshmen societies went out of existence. 

The students of the Chandler School were not admitted to 
the college societies, but under the stimulus of association and 
example soon formed societies of their own. In 1857 they 
founded the Phi Zeta Mu, which continued as a local society 
till it was absorbed in 1893 as the Eta Eta chapter of the Sigma 
Chi Society. This society was followed in 1858 by the Sigma 
Delta Pi, which under a charter of the legislature changed its 
name in 1871 to "Vitruvian." It was ambitious to become a 
chaptered organization and established two chapters, one at 
Cornell and one at Wooster University, Ohio, but both are 
extinct. In 1889 it was itself absorbed by becoming the Alpha 
Omega chapter of the Beta Theta Pi Society. In 1884 a chapter 
of the Phi Delta Theta was established entirely by outside 
influence and not, as is usual, by the absorption of a local 
organization. 

The growth of the College in numbers under President Tucker 
was the occasion of the coming in of many new fraternities. 
In 1896 the New Hampshire Alpha of the Phi Kappa Psi took 
its place among the fraternities by absorbing a local association, 
formed within a year, and known as the Beta Psi. Two years 
later another local fraternity was formed under the name of 
Alpha Alpha Omega, but in 1902 this became the Chi chapter 
of the Chi Phi Society. In 1901 two more fraternities were 
added to the list by the establishment of the Gamma Gamma 
chapter of the Delta Tau Delta, and the Delta Upsilon chapter 
of the Phi Gamma Delta, both of them being organized directly 
as chapters of the general societies. Again in 1905 two frater- 
nities were established, the Tau chapter of the Phi Sigma Kappa, 
and the Gamma Epsilon chapter of the Kappa Sigma, the latter 
arising out of a local organization, the Beta Gamma, which was 
formed for the express purpose of becoming a chapter of Kappa 
Sigma. Two years later a local society called the Pukwana, 
organized in 1901, was absorbed as the Delta Beta chapter of 
the Sigma Nu, and in 1908 the Sigma Alpha Epsilon took in 
as its New Hampshire Alpha a local society, the Chi Tau Kappa 



The Societies. 537 

which had been formed in 1903-1904. Another local society, 
the Gamma Delta Epsilon, was founded in 1908 but disbanded 
in 191 2. The latest of the existing undergraduate fraternities 
to be formed is the New Hampshire Alpha of the Sigma Phi 
Epsilon, which in 1909 absorbed the Omicron Pi Sigma, that 
had been organized the year before. 

Not to be behind the undergraduates, the students of the 
Medical College organized in 1888 a fraternity called the Alpha 
Kappa Kappa, which has become the parent of thirty-six chapters 
in other institutions. A rival, called the Ace of Spades, arose 
in 1893, but it lasted only seven years. 

In the earlier years these organizations were always spoken 
of as the "societies," but of late they have been called "frater- 
nities," and the term "societies" has been applied to the class 
organizations. These made their first appearance in 1886, 
when a society was formed, called the "Sphinx," which was 
followed in the next year by the "Casque and Gauntlet," both 
being comiposed of seniors. A third senior society, the "Tiger," 
had a brief existence from 1892 to 1894, and was followed four 
years later, in 1898, by the "Dragon." A junior society, known 
as the "Turtle," was formed in 1901, but died in 1912. A 
chapter of a sophomore society, the Theta Nu Epsilon, was 
established in 1893, but after ten years of uncertain value came 
to an end in 1903. 

In 1900 a society called the Palaeopitus, secret in everything 
except name, was formed by members of the senior class. Se- 
crecy, however, was contrary to the purpose for which it was 
formed and in 1902 it became an open society with a published 
constitution and a membership largely ex officio. Its announced 
object was "to bring into close touch and working harmony the 
various branches of college activity, to preserve the customs and 
traditions of Dartmouth, to promote her welfare and protect 
her good name and to bestow merited recognition upon such of 
her sons as have shown exceptional effort in her behalf." By 
its reorganization it was to consist of fifteen members, of whom 
the captains and managers of the football, baseball and track 
teams, the president of the debating union, the president of the 
Dartmouth Christian Association and the editor-in-chief of 
The Dartmouth were to be ex officio, and six others were to be 
elected by the junior class from their own number. Four years 
later the number was increased to seventeen by the addition as 
ex officio members, of the captain and the manager of the 



53^ History of Dartmouth College. 

basket ball team. The president of the College is an honorary 
member. 

In 1909 a second reorganization reduced the number of mem- 
bers to eleven, of which six are first chosen from the junior class 
at large by the class, and five from the same class are afterward 
chosen by the outgoing Palaeopitus. The initiation of the new 
members takes place at the old pine, on the evening of the 
"sing-out," after the "wet-down." The function of the Palae- 
opitus, naturally somewhat vague and ill-defined, is practically 
to stir and invigorate the sense of undergraduate responsibility 
in the promotion and preservation of whatever tends to the wel- 
fare of the College in sentiment and conduct. In this endeavor 
it has had good success and has a growing influence. 

In addition to these societies and fraternities many organiza- 
tions, some with Greek letter and some with fanciful names, 
have arisen and had a brief existence. They have expressed 
different purposes, social, literary, forensic, athletic, and con- 
vivial, but none have been the expression of any important senti- 
ment or special need. They have come and gone, adding to the 
temporary pleasure or value of college life, but have had no lasting 
significance. 



The Phi Beta Kappa Society. 559 



THE PHI BETA KAPPA SOCIETY.^ 

The chapter of this society at Dartmouth, called the Alpha 
of New Hampshire, was established in 1787, being four years 
younger than the Social Friends and one year younger than the 
United Fraternity. The fierce rivalry that existed between 
those two societies, which had an unlimited membership, may 
have led to the desire on the part of some, particularly in the 
upper classes, for a more select organization and a consequent 
turning to the Phi Beta Kappa Society, which had already been 
organized at Harvard and Yale. 

In December of 1779 one Elisha Parmelee, a graduate of Har- 
vard in 1778, who had also been a student at Yale, and was then 
pursuing post-graduate studies at William and Mary, — a person, 
we may infer, of a restless, ardent temperament, who afterward 
became a preacher, and died in 1784, — becoming a member 
of the society, and conceiving a still more ambitious scheme, 
was, upon his own solicitation, empowered to set up branches of 
the same at Harvard and at Yale. After a little delay, occasioned 
by the necessity of introducing some modifications suited to 
the latitude (the charter as first granted having reserved to 
the parent society a jurisdiction unpalatable to the New England 
students), the society was formally instituted at Yale in Novem- 
ber, 1780, and at Harvard in September, 1781, designated as 
the Alpha of Connecticut and the Alpha of Massachusetts, 
instead of being (as first intended) the Epsilon and Zeta of the 
Virginia series. 

The parent society in the meantime, in January, 1781, suc- 
cumbed, with its Virginia branches and the College itself, to 
the confusions of war. Its records were hidden away and lost, 
and the memory of it rested nearly a century in tradition. For 
want of authentic knowledge, many fanciful accounts of its 
origin were invented later to gratify the pride and the curiosity 
of its children. We find set down at length in the records of 
this chapter an exceedingly interesting account (if it only were 
true) communicated by Professor Chamberlain, the President, 
in 1827. Indifferent to anachronisms the account declared 
that the Virginia society was the descendant of a literary con- 

1 This account of the society is largely taken from Mr. Chase's historical address at its cen- 
tennial in 1887, and, with some enlargement, has appeared in the Ph.i Beta Kappa Key for 
March, 1913. 



540 History of Dartmouth College. 

vivial club at Oxford in the time of James II, which he did it 
the honor for political reasons to suppress; that afterward 
several of its members came to Virginia and established the 
society at William and Mary, that about 1741 the Alpha of 
Massachusetts was established at Harvard, and that soon after 
an application was made for a chapter at Yale, which the Massa- 
chusetts Alpha refused, but Bishop Berkeley, an eminent patron 
of Yale, having been one of the members of the original society, 
communicated such of the secrets as were in his possession, and 
the Alpha of Connecticut was formed. 

The lost Virginia records were in 18 14 a special source of 
interest to the Dartmouth chapter. A brother, Thomas C. 
Searles, then a divinity student at Princeton, reported that he 
thought himself in the way, through Dr. Alexander, of getting 
possession of them (to be deposited here) from their supposed 
custodian, William Cabbel, in Amherst County, Virginia. It 
is needless to say they were not obtained. But the later dis- 
covery of them in the files of the Virginia Historical Society, 
where they had lain forgotten some forty years, dissipated the 
romantic dreams concerning the origin of the fraternity and 
disclosed the prosaic fact. 

After the society was domiciled at Yale and Harvard, six 
years elapsed without further expansion. But in the summer 
of 1787, when the United Fraternity scarcely reckoned its age 
at a year, the two existing Alphas of the Phi Beta Kappa united 
in erecting a third at Dartmouth. Of the influences that brought 
it here we are not informed, except that Charles Marsh of the 
class of 1786 was the medium through whom the negotiations 
were conducted, and that he went to Cambridge for that purpose. 
We know only that a rigid policy of exclusiveness, which pre- 
vailed in the society for many years, both before and after, was 
in this single instance relaxed, and on application by Aaron 
Kinsman, of the class about to graduate, in the early part of 
1787, a charter, dated the first day of June, was granted to the 
same Kinsman by the Alpha of Massachusetts, confirmed on 
the 14th of August by the Alpha of Connecticut, authorizing 
him, with two other "persons of honor, probity, and good 
demeanor," to institute the society at Dartmouth. Kinsman 
forthwith "proceeded to admit to the secrets of the Society, as 
the law directs," four of his classmates, Simon Backus, Ebenezer 
Brown, Jonas Hartwell and Pierson Thurston, and on Monday, 
August 20, 1787, the five met and declared that this "was to 



The Phi Beta Kappa Society. 541 

be considered as the foundation meeting of the Alpha of New 
Hampshire at the University at Hanover, and by this 20th 
day of August, the day on which our foundation meeting was 
held, the anniversary of this Society is ever to be regulated." 

A few days later, four members of the Junior class were 
admitted and the first permanent board of officers chosen, con- 
sisting of a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and 
a judge of composition. Annually thereafter, between the first 
day of May and Commencement, the societ>' was replenished 
from the Juniors to a number not exceeding one third of the 
class, who should constitute the active society for the ensuing 
year. The presidents, except for the year 1789, the vice-presi- 
dents after 1793, and the secretaries after 1799 were graduate 
members. 

The chapter, here as elsewhere, was governed by a code of 
laws transmitted at first from the parent, and alterable in 
essential points only by consent of all the chapters. An inti- 
mate correspondence between the chapters was strictly enjoined, 
and a secret cypher, made in the manner then current by a 
transposition of the ordinary alphabet, was prescribed for that 
purpose, but it was not long, if ever, in actual use. Correspond- 
ence was also neglected, and by degrees each chapter assumed 
a good degree of independence in amending its own constitution 
and laws. As early as 1806 there was a disccussion of radical 
changes in the constitution of the Harvard chapter to which 
Yale and Dartmouth were not ready to consent. In 1825 the 
Dartmouth chapter appears for the first time to have taken the 
responsibility of avowedly making important changes in its 
own codes. Like all the other societies, this also enforced secrecy 
under the most solemn sanctions, with an appeal to the Deity 
in an "oath of initiation." The form was afterward softened 
to a mere "solemn and sincere declaration," and again to an 
assurance based on "the honor of a gentleman," and in 1826 
(ten years in advance of the local societies, and five years before 
the Harvard chapter gave up its secrets under compulsion) 
the Dartmouth chapter, which, as already said, had by that 
time assumed to legislate for itself, removed the injunction of 
secrecy save as to the symbols on the medal, — which, though 
sufficiently idle, remained for twenty-five years more a nominal 
mystery, till on the motion of Professor E. D. Sanborn, "as 
the Society had no longer any secrets," the pledge of secrecy 
was omitted ; notwithstanding which the mystery remains, since 



542 History of Dartmouth College. 

the sure interpretation of some of the symbols has been in the 
meantime long since forgotten. 

The medal with which each member was expected to provide 
himself was of gold, rectangular in form and hung with a ribbon 
of red. The earliest known medal of the chapter was, however, 
of silver and belonged to Joseph Gofife of the class of 179 1. It 
was seven eighths of an inch square, rather heavy, having three 
stars on the face in the upper corner, w^ith $. B, K. across the 
middle and the hand in the lower right-hand corner pointing 
diagonally to the stars. On the reverse were the letters S. P. at 
the top and December 5, 1776, below. In 1798 a seal was de- 
vised by brother Jeremiah Noyes and was purchased for seven 
dollars. 

The stated meetings of the chapter were held every alternate 
Thursday afternoon in the term, at an hour varying from four 
o'clock to six; and the usual exercises comprised a dispute 
by four persons, two speaking from manuscript and two ex 
tempore, on the same question, and in winter a declamation. 
The place of meeting was at first the private room of some 
member, afterward a public hall, and then the common Society 
Hall provided by the government in the college building. These 
exercises were performed with a good degree of regularity, 
sometimes bi-weekly and sometimes weekly, during many years, 
though often, especially in the summer term, much interrupted 
by the initiation of members, and sometimes, unhappily, by 
wrangling over elections. 

The subjects of discussion are not often recorded, but it seems 
that they were of a worthy character and that the meetings 
never issued in the farce and disorder which characterized the 
later meetings of the other local societies. The nearest approach 
that we are able to find to levity in its proceedings was the 
solemn discussion of a constitutional question as to the heating 
and lighting of the hall, when it was decided, after long debate, 
that the treasurer might, without endangering the constitution, 
furnish the requisite fire and candles. 

New members were admitted only by the unanimous voice 
of all present, though a single dissenter was bound to assign 
his reasons, and might be overruled. Later the rule was relaxed 
still more. In 1847 it was voted that a two-thirds vote should 
be sufficient to override objections, and in 1851 the proportion 
necessary to defeat an election (unless overruled by a two-thirds 



The Phi Beta Kappa Society. 543 

vote) was fixed at two voted in fifteen, three in twenty-five, and 
four in thirty-five. 

The earliest initiation fee was six shillings, equal to one dollar, 
increased in 1826 to four dollars, later to five, reduced to three in 
1876 and again raised to five in 1909. Graduates and other per- 
sons not members of College, were received to honorary member- 
ship with increasing freedom, which being sometimes abused to 
evade the stringency of ordinary rules, it was ordered in 18 12 that 
no graduate should be received without the express recommenda- 
tion of one or more of his classmates, except in cases purely honor- 
ary, or in consequence of some peculiar merit; and from 1825 to 
1849 all such nominations were made to lie over a year. In 
1899 an article was adopted forbidding the election of a graduate 
of any other college, at which a chapter has been established, 
and providing for a "committee on nominations," to which must 
be referred all nominations to honorary membership, and these 
must be made in writing, and without the recommendation of 
the committee no election is to be made. Nominations must 
be received not later than the first of June next preceding the 
annual meeting. 

Schemes of more enlarged usefulness were at different times 
agitated. In 1797 it was proposed by the other chapters to 
establish a fund for the encouragement of genius and the relief 
of indigent members. In 1798 the formation of a library of 
natural history and chemistry was seriously undertaken, but 
was four years later abandoned. In 1804 this chapter assented 
to a plan proposed by Harvard for a joint publication of a period- 
ical to be entitled the Literary Miscellany, and the next year 
a committee was here from Cambridge to complete the arrange- 
ments. At the same time, three graduate members (D. Webster, 
J. Noyes and T. A. Merrill) were named a committee to arrange 
for an independent periodical to be issued by the Dartmouth 
chapter. It does not appear that either scheme was made 
effectual, unless the Literary Tablet, edited at Hanover anony- 
mously at that period every alternate week for several years, 
indicates something of the kind. 

The two older societies, the Socials and the Praters, themselves 
rivals, were for a short time at the first uncertain how to regard 
the Phi Beta Kappa. One of the questions formally debated 
by the United Praternity in 1791 was "whether the society 
known by the name of the Phi Beta Kappa is advantageous to 



544 History of Dartmouth College. 

this University." Unfortunately, the records do not inform 
us of the decision in the case. 

But as the Phi Beta Kappa made no pretensions to rivalry 
in regard to a library, and drew its few members on the basis 
of personal merit indiscriminately from both the other societies 
near the end of the course, and by its aristocratic position and 
connections abroad held out hopes of both honor and advantage, 
it was with little delay received by the others into fellowship; 
and yet the same reasons that made it tolerable by the older 
societies gave occasion for individual jealousies and rancor, that 
repeatedly came near destroying the entire system. Before the 
expiration of its second year, in July, 1789, three members of 
the Phi Beta Kappa istelf conspired together, and, as the record 
runs, "in a clandestine and scandalous manner" broke into the 
chest, abstracted a portion of the records, and disclosed their 
contents here and at Cambridge. The culprits, being detected, 
made written confession, renewed their oaths, and were forgiven. 

The Phi Beta Kappa never suffered from the severe jealousies 
and factions that disturbed the other societies, and that have 
been elsewhere described, but it did not wholly escape them and, 
about 1800, its numbers were much reduced by a combination 
against it, which almost prevented an election from the class 
of 1801. In three instances only, as far as its records show, 
has it had occasion to discipline its members. Expulsion was 
visited upon one who was exposed as a common thief, upon 
another for gross and habitual intemperance, and upon a third 
in 1 8 12, who "by several infamous and overt acts had forfeited 
all pretensions to moral character." He had been a secret agent 
of the British government, but, thinking himself neglected, 
had afterward sold his correspondence to President Madison. 
For which of these treacheries he was expelled the record does 
not disclose. 

With the Phi Beta Kappa, as with other societies, the chief 
event was the celebration of the anniversary, at which time, by 
the organic law, officers were to be chosen and an oration deliv- 
ered by some one selected in the preceding autumn, and "the 
exercises of the day concluded with some refreshment if the 
Society think proper. ' ' The first of these ' ' anniversary elections' ' 
was thus celebrated with all the honors, though a little late, 
on September 5, 1788, two weeks before the college Commence- 
ment. The oration on this occasion was delivered to the society 
in private by Daniel Chipman of the graduating class. There- 



The Phi Beta Kappa Society. 545 

after the anniversary oration was always in public and by some 
graduate or distinguished stranger. In 1790, 1793, and 1796 
there were no public exercises. In 1791 these exercises took 
place on Commencement day, the record being that on August 
24th the society convened and proceeded in regular order to 
the chapel, where, in the presence of a numerous and respectable 
audience, an elegant oration was delivered by President Josiah 
Dunham, after which it repaired to Holden's chamber and 
partook of a splendid entertainment while every heart was 
"filled with friendship." This anniversary has ever since been 
held on the day preceding Commencement, excepting in 1819, 
1820, and 1822 to 1838, when it was held on Thursday, the day 
after Commencement. From 1872 it was held only every third 
year, in rotation with other organizations, till 1902. 

The anniversary dinner was an occasion of high festivity. 
It was held in the hall of one of the village taverns or in that 
of the Commons Hall, and was frequently enlivened by singing 
of original odes. In 1810 there was a dinner but no literary 
exercises. The effect was disastrous for from 181 1, confirmed 
by a standing vote in 18 12, the dinner was omitted, although 
in 1 8 19, in honor of the happy result of the college suits and of 
brother Daniel Webster who was present in high spirits, it was 
revived with great eclat. There were occasional dinners in 
later years. The fashion of publication of the anniversary 
oration began in 1800 with a sermon by the Rev. Asa Burton. 
Quite generally, after that, copies of addresses were solicited 
for that purpose, but were not infrequently refused. Cata- 
logues of the members were published in 1806 and irregularly 
thereafter, but often at intervals of three years. From early 
times there was music at the anniversary, for which in 1805 
a tax of fifty cents, and in 1814 a tax of one dollar, was levied. 
A procession is spoken of in 1812, though a marshal first appears 
in 1816, and in 1824 it was voted henceforward to have the 
procession preceded by music. 

Like its fellow societies, the Phi Beta Kappa had clung loyall y 
to the College in its time of danger, and scorned the Universit y 
that would supplant it. The students of the University wer e 
held ineligible to membership; and four years after the contest 
was ended, a distinguished citizen of New Hampshire who had 
been prominent in support of the pretentions of the University, 
on being proposed for honorary membership in the society was 
without ceremony and without a division rejected. 



546 History of Dartmouth College. 

But as the College recovered itself, the Phi Beta Kappa of the 
old regime began its decline. Till then the stated literary exer- 
cises had been attended with general regularity and often with 
enthusiasm, notwithstanding, of course, repeated fluctuations of 
interest, but with the recovery of the College after the decision 
of 1 8 19 and the development of the department of rhetoric under 
Professor Haddock, interest turned away from the Phi Beta 
Kappa. There was a spasmodic revival in 1824 and an attempt 
in the next year to remodel the society by a revision of its con- 
stitution. Again in 1833 there was an effort to restore the activ- 
ity of the society under the influence of Professor Hale and then 
of Professor Haddock, but it was after all a sort of galvanized 
existence that could not last. The old enthusiasm was gone, and 
when the modern Greek-letter societies took the field, beginning 
in 1 84 1, the Phi Beta Kappa definitely surrendered it, by a 
resolution of 1845 confirmed by a two-thirds vote in 1846, 
and by a radical amendment of the constitution in 1852, which 
tacitly excluded thenceforth from membership all under- 
graduates, by postponing elections until the last day of the 
senior year, the close of college life. The last of the stated 
literary exercises were performed November 10, 1845. 

But while the effect of the Greek-letter societies was slowly 
but surely to crush out the life of all the older societies of the 
College, the Phi Beta Kappa, thanks to an accident which 
evolved a new life in a different sphere out of the old, still remains, 
though much changed. The vote of 1845 marked the final stage 
in a transformation, that had been some time in progress, 
from an undergraduate society adapted to perform a special 
part in college education, to an honorary post-graduate brother- 
hood of scholars, having no college function except to award 
a measure of distinction in place of the usual college honors, 
which were at that period disused and forbidden at Dartmouth. 
By the original constitution of the Phi Beta Kappa the senior 
class had the principal agency in the election of members, and 
scholarship alone did not necessarily or actually govern the 
selection; but under the new dispensation the actual selection 
fell to the graduated members resident at the College — in other 
words to the college Faculty, who were by a large majority 
out of sympathy with the system symbolized by the lot, and 
glad to avail themselves of an expedient, however mild, to evade 
it by conferring this distinction solely as a badge of scholarship. 



The Phi Beta Kappa Society. 547 

In the absence of this motive for its preservation, it is probable 
that the society would at that time have ceased to exist. 

The election of members after the revision of 1846 was at 
first made according to the merit roll of the Faculty for the whole 
college course, the marks on which the electicfn was based being 
first recorded in 1852, but later, in 1876, after preliminary 
discussion, the method was adopted of giving greater weight 
to the later part of the college course by counting the freshman 
and sophomore years twice each, and the junior and senior 
years thrice each and dividing the sum by ten. The number 
of those elected to membership was, by the first laws, one third 
of the junior class, and this continued to be the proportion 
elected from the senior class after the revision till 1896, when 
a fixed standard was adopted, and all receiving a rank of 85 
on a scale of 100 were eligible, if the number did not exceed 
one third of the class, a proportion which has never been reached. 

Of late years there has been much discussion at Dartmouth 
over the possibility of reviving an interest in Phi Beta Kappa, 
and several plans have been proposed to that end, but none 
of them was put into operation till 1909, when an attempt 
was made to stimulate the interest of undergraduates in the 
society by associating, to some degree, entrance into it with 
the "honor night" of the College. That is the occasion of the 
public announcement of the scholarship honors gained by the 
students during the previous college year, and with the exercises 
of the "night" is connected the initiation into Phi Beta 
Kappa of those members of the senior class, who for the three 
completed years of their college life have held a rank considerably 
above that which is required for admission at graduation. The 
plan further provides for two meetings during the year before 
the annual meeting at Commencement. 



548 History of Dartmouth College. 



THE NORTHERN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND 
SCIENCES. 

The Northern Academy of Arts and Sciences is to be classed 
as a college society only as the promoters of it were members of 
the college Faculty, and as its valuable library has been incor- 
porated with the consolidated libraries as a part of a compre- 
hensive scheme of enlargement in the College. 

This society was organized on June 24, 1841, at a pre-arranged 
meeting of twenty-one gentlemen, including eight from neigh- 
boring towns, at the study of President Lord, to consider the 
expediency of forming a society for promoting the knowledge 
of the arts and sciences. Professor Ebenezer Adams being in 
the chair, and Professor Alpheus Crosby acting as scribe, a 
constitution was adopted, officers chosen^ and forty-five persons 
were enrolled at their request as organic members, including 
among seventeen not resident at Hanover, Joel Parker, Carleton 
Chase, Nathaniel G. Upham and Samuel D. Bell. At the same 
time 137 others were elected to membership in the various 
grades recognized by the constitution, and at subsequent meet- 
ings, up to 1845, as many more, including many of the most 
distinguished men of science and literature in New England 
and New York and Pennsylvania. 

The object of the society, according to its constitution, was 
"the cultivation of the arts and sciences, with a view to the 
happiness of mankind," and it was composed of "Fellows, 
Corresponding Members, and Honorary Members." Besides 
the usual officers it had twelve "curators," who had immediate 
charge of its government. A code of laws was adopted by the 
curators and approved by the society, which laid out an elab- 
orate plan, too ambitious, as it proved, for the resources at com- 
mand. It contemplated the establishment of a library and a 
museum, the prosecution of literary and scientific researches, 
and the publication of their results in an annual or quarterly 
periodical. At the end of the first year, in 1842, the curators 
published a report in a pamphlet of twenty-eight pages, and a 

» The officers were: Joel Parker, President; Nathan Lord, vice-president; Roswell Shurtleff, 
Charles B, Haddock, Phineas Cooke, Ira Young. Ebenezer C. Tracy, DLxl Crosby, Amos 
Blanchard, Edwin D. Sanborn, David Pierce, Oliver P. Hubbard.William H. Duncan, William 
Cogswell, curators; William Cogswell, corresponding secretary and librarian; Samuel G. 
Brown, recording secretary; Daniel Blaisdell, treasurer; William Cogswell, Charles B. Haddock, 
Ira Young, publishing committee. 



The Northern Academy. 549 

second of eighteen pages in 1843. A draft of a charter of incor- 
poration was prepared in 1843 and a petition to the legislature 
signed by direction of the society, but the journals of the House 
do not show that it was ever actually presented. 

A handsome beginning was made during the first two years 
toward a historical library by the acquisition of some eleven 
hundred bound volumes, upward of four thousand pamphlets, 
and a large number of files of newspapers, some quite ancient 
and of great historical value, also a considerable number of 
interesting and valuable manuscripts. Toward a museum 
nothing was done beyond the reception of a few boxes of curios- 
ities. As to the periodical that had been contemplated, the 
curators deemed it so important that they declared at the end 
of the first year that if there had been a suitable printing office 
in this vicinity they would have already attempted it. 

The affair did not, however, advance much farther on the 
scale on which it had been planned. Though there would have 
been, no doubt, ample material for the maintenance of the period- 
ical, it was, owing mainly to the lack of funds, never actually 
begun. Neither museum nor library made any further consid- 
erable advance, except by the addition to the latter in 1845 of 
an exceedingly valuable collection of local newspapers, collected 
and arranged by Samuel Smith of Peterborough. 

The originator and soul of the enterprise was the Rev. Dr. 
William Cogswell, then professor of history in the College. 
Early in 1844, he removed to Gilmanton to take charge of the 
Theological Seminary there established, and later to Boston 
where he edited the first volume of that most successful of 
historical publications, the New England Historical and Genea- 
logical Register. Among the members of a small, hard worked 
and poorly paid Faculty no one was found having the leisure 
and the peculiar talents requisite to carry along the extensive 
plans of the society. Dr. Cogswell with his characteristic enthu- 
siasm hoped that the society might take rank with the great 
literary, scientific and historical associations of the world, of 
which in the first printed report he presented elaborate sketches. 
Although the scheme, in its fullness, was no doubt somewhat 
visionary, it is not impossible that if Dr. Cogswell had remained 
at Hanover something approaching the ideal might have been 
built up. 

Historical material, at least, was then abundant, but compara- 
tively little interest was taken in it, and much even in this 



550 History of Dartmouth College. 

immediate region that would now be invaluable in that depart- 
ment and that could then by a little effort have been obtained, 
has, as the writer has more than once to his grief had occasion 
to know, since passed from unexplored attics to the flames or to 
the all-destroying hands of the paper makers. The library, so 
wonderfully favored at the outset, might easily have taken high 
rank in that direction, and if means could have been provided, 
something creditable could undoubtedly have been done with a 
periodical, the need of which has been many times since keenly 
felt. But with the departure of Dr. Cogswell from Hanover, 
and finally with his death in 1850, all attempts toward the real- 
izing of the project in its fullness ceased. The library had been 
placed by permission of the College in the southeast corner of 
the second story of Reed Hall, where it remained many years, 
until in 1864 the newspapers and pamphlets were removed to 
a place of storage in Thornton Hall, and in 1885 to a large 
room in the basement of the new library building, placed by the 
college Trustees at the service of the society. Most of the 
bound books of value found, by tacit consent at the time of 
the first removal, a temporary place in the alcoves of the college 
library. 

The society retained an intermittent life as late as 1903. 
Until 1850 the annual meetings and elections, which occurred 
on Tuesday of Commencement week, were held with regularity, 
after that they were of the most perfunctory character, or wholly 
neglected. Professor Brown continued to serve as recording 
secretary of the society from its organization, and at various times 
exerted himself to revive an interest in it. Professor Sanborn 
succeeded Dr. Cogswell as librarian; later Rev. Dr. Richards, 
an ardent antiquarian, officiated in that capacity from 1849 until 
his death in 1859; afterward Professor Sanborn resumed his 
charge. 

As a literary club the society preserved a more active life. 
Until the autumn of 1850 meetings were held with considerable 
frequency at the "Academy Hall," or at the house of President 
Lord, and essays were read and discussed. During that period 
of ten years more than forty such meetings are recorded. Sub- 
ordinate to these, but not included in the records, were other 
occasional meetings, under the familiar name of the Pickwick 
Club, at private houses, where the ladies were present, and 
essays of more popular interest were read and discussed. The 
subjects treated were of great variety, and often of much inter- 



The Northern Academy. 551 

est; discussion was free and often earnest and protracted. In 
April, 1 86 1, for example, Professor Long read an essay in dero- 
gation of the right of slavery, followed the next week by Dr. 
Lord in defence of that institution. There was sometimes relief 
to the gravity of the subjects treated. We find record of a 
"Semi-serious divertissment" by Rev. L. S. Coburn (a graduate 
of 1 83 1, then an instructor at Norwich University) on Doc- 
torates of Divinity, wherein he took for his text Matthew 23:28, 
and enumerated as the grounds of fitness for the degree of D.D., 
"doubly damaged" — i, Notoriety; 2, Caponiety or Satiety, and 
3, Selfsufificiency. It is recollected that on one occasion, at the 
house of one of the professors, who himself read a paper in the 
Pickwick, Dr. Richards fell asleep. Being taken to task by his 
wife, also present, for his discourtesy to the professor, he retorted 
in his gruffest tones "Humph! he sleeps when / preach." 

From 1850 there was a cessation of interest. No meetings are 
recorded until March, 1853, and but four until March, 1855, when 
for two or three years the old activity revived, only to die out 
again in spite of several attempts made especially by Professor 
Brown in 1861, 1864, and 1865 and 1866 to renew the interest. 

In February, 1870, under the lead of Professor C. A. Young, 
a scientific association was formed to meet the special needs of 
quite a number of gentlemen connected with the Faculty of 
the College, and it has been kept up till the present time. 

The eminent success of this attempt in scientific subjects 
occasioned in 1874 a renewed interest in the old Northern Acad- 
emy among those whose tastes led in other directions. At the 
request of the Scientific Association its members were taken into 
the Northern Academy, and the Association was regarded as 
a branch of the Academy. Meetings of the literary members 
were then held with considerable regularity during nearly three 
years, when for the sake of convenience there was formed in 
February, 1877, an association, corresponding to the scientific 
association, entitled the "Dartmouth Literary and Philosoph- 
ical Association," which till 1902 maintained monthly meetings 
(during term time) with fair regularity on the same plan as the 
literary meetings of the Academy. Since that time, as the Fac- 
ulty has enlarged, several organizations have sprung up, such 
as the "Ticknor Club" devoted mainly to modern languages, 
and the "Social Science Club." 

The Northern Academy was formally disbanded and its 
property delivered to the Trustees of the College in 1903, at 
the same time that the literary societies came to an end. 



552 History of Dartmouth College. 



THE HANDEL SOCIETY. 

It is probable that the earUest voluntary organization con- 
nected with the College, next to the church, was some sort of 
a musical society, but there is little from which to draw any 
very definite conclusion about it. The most that is known is 
derived from the Commencement programmes. It is recorded 
that at the first Commencement, in August, 1771, there were 
performed several anthems, one of which was "composed and 
set to music by the young gentlemen, candidates for a degree." 
The poet was Frisbie and the musical composer, Ripley. 

For the next ten or twelve years we have no records, but from 
1785 we hear of music, both vocal and instrumental, as a regular 
exercise on Commencement days. The record is that "some 
pieces of vocal and instrumental music closed the exercises," 
or, as in 1787, "an agreeable concert of music was then exhibited," 
just before the degrees were conferred. The year 1792 brings 
in the earliest complete account, now extant, of the exercises 
presented to the public on the several days of Commencement 
week. We learn that at one o'clock in the afternoon of Monday, 
August 20, 1792, "the Musical Society convened in the chapel, 
where was delivered an excellent and well composed oration 
by George W. Kjrkland, on music and the fine arts; likewise 
were performed several pieces of music." Kirkland, a son of 
Dr. Wheelock's Indian missionary, was a member of the grad- 
uating class, and received from the Trustees a special testimonial 
of his musical talents and proficiency. 

This is the type of subsequent anniversaries. The "Musical 
Society," sometimes denominated simply "the Choir," had its 
day and oration every year till 1802. We miss it first in 1803, 
though even then music figured in a small way as a part of the 
entertainment of Commencement day. That it was still culti- 
vated with success is testified by President Dwight, who in the 
course of his travels in October, 1803, attended divine service 
at the college church in Hanover and declared ^ that "never 
(unless in a few instances at Wethersfield many years before) 
had he heard sacred music rendered with so much taste and 
skill as were here displayed." 

But there was evidently no longer any enthusiasm in the 

> Dwight's Travels, II, 117. 



The Handel Society. 553 

society itself. Not only was the annual oration dropped, but 
in 1805 "the richest of music" was brought in from abroad 
and headed the procession. In 1807 it is styled a "band of the 
best music," and the innovation became established. The old 
"Musical Choir," nevertheless, still existed, for current every 
day use in chapel and church. There arose, however, just at 
this time a general movement all over New England in oppostion 
to the prevalent style of church music typified by the "fugue." 
Numerous societies were formed for the express object of restor- 
ing to popularity the more grand and solemn measures of the 
best sacred music, including especially the works of the most 
eminent European composers.^ 

In coimection with this movement and under the influence 
of Professor John Hubbard and Tutor Francis Brown, certain 
mem.bers of the old musical choir joined in the formation of 
"The Handel Society of Dartmouth College." It was organized 
July 23, 1807, its declared object being, "to improve and culti- 
vate the taste, and promote true and genuine music and dis- 
countenance trifling unfinished pieces." Its special object was 
sacred music, and it was, like the other college societies, nomi- 
nally a secret society, but "in order to be established on a firm 
and sure foundation" it solicited "the patronage and protection 
of Dartmouth University." Its original undergraduate members 
were Amos Holbrook, John Walker, Alexander Read and George 
Newton of the class of 1808, and Levi Woodbury of the class of 
1809. Professor John Hubbard accepted the presidency, and 
Tutor Francis Brown and Esquire W. H. Woodward joined 
as active members at its organization. Every member was 
required to provide himself with a blank book and transcribe, 
or procure a copy of, every tune that was ordered to be sung 
at a future meeting. 

The old musical choir made still a struggle for existence, but 
the new society gaining rapidly, and disagreements arising 
between them, the old one was disbanded and its books were 
sold at vendue. A portion of them was bought by the Handel 
Society which had already begun a library by private gifts 
and by appropriation of initiation fees, which in 1809 were 
increased to $1.50. Professor Hubbard himself had what was 
reputed to be the best musical library in the country. "He 
had in his possession more means for acquiring a musical educa- 
tion than any other man in America, having more English 

I Ritter's Music in America, pp. 94f ; A. Kendall's Autobiography, p. 54. 



554 History of Dartmouth College. 

publications and treatises on the science of music than any other 
individual." ^ The bulk of this collection was, after Professor 
Hubbard's death, in 1810, purchased by the Handel Society at 
a cost of $90. Other valuable additions of the best description 
of music were made from time to time, so that the society boasted 
a library of rare excellence in its special department, the whole 
of which has faded away, nobody knows how, since the decay 
of the society, within the last forty or fifty years. 

The society had at its origin, besides the usual executive officers 
and primarius, three choristers, and three councillors afterward 
styled censors. Regular meetings were held every Friday 
evening for exercise in singing, at the Academy Hall, and later 
in Alden's Hall, but more often in a social way at the houses 
of Professor Hubbard, Esquire Woodward and other citizens, 
of whom a considerable number were admitted to membership. 
Honorary membership was also conferred upon numerous persons 
not resident in town, and, beginning in 181 1, upon several ladies 
of the village. After 18 12 this society enjoyed with the others 
the privileges of the common Society Hall, but most of its meet- 
ings were for a good many years, down at least to 1820, still 
held at private houses. 

Vocal music was the primary object, but in the summer of 
1808 a bassoon was purchased by subscription, and as in April, 
1809, it was determined to admit "members of college who are 
skilled in instrumental music," an orchestra thenceforth became 
an essential feature of the organization. The presence of Esquire 
Hutchinson with his violin and Deacon Long with his viol is 
noted in 1820; a bass viol was bought by the society in 1829 
at a cost of $27.75, and a double bass was procured in some way 
a little later. This was played in the meeting house by Dr. 
Mussey and is said to have been the only instrument of the kind 
in the state at that time, and Dr. Mussey the only person 
in the state competent to play it. He carried it on one occasion 
from Hanover to Portsmouth to exhibit it for the gratification 
of the New Hampshire Medical Society of which he was a prom- 
inent member. 2 

In 1839 a trombone was purchased, to be played by Tyler 
of the class of 1842, and a second was for a time in use. There 
were, of course, flutes and violins and other minor instruments 
adapted to the varying character of the current talent among 

» Ritter's Music in America, p. 94, quoted from Gould's History of Church Music in America- 
'Ritter's Music in America, p. 108. 



The Handel Society. 555 

the students. In August, 1842, the record speaks of two flutes, 
two trombones and a single and a double bass viol and in March, 
1843, a post horn is mentioned. 

In 1838 Hemenway of the freshman class having brought 
from Lunenburg, Vt., an organ in the hope of obtaining pupils, 
was allowed by the college authorities "the privilege of putting 
his organ into the chapel for the use of the Society." It was 
used down to about 1856 in aid of the orchestra, but not to its 
exclusion. On the graduation of Hemenway in 1842, his organ 
was purchased by the college for $500, and it remained in the 
chapel until 1868, when being entirely "played out" it was 
put aside for a melodeon and in March, 1869, replaced by a 
new organ. In 1839 a room in Thornton Hall was given to the 
society for its library and instruments. 

From its formation the musical part of the chapel and church 
services was in the keeping of this society. The Sabbath ser- 
vices in the meeting house were conducted with the aid of the 
orchestra until 1852. In March of that year a melodeon, which 
the society had hired two years before, was brought into use in 
the meeting house and near the close of the same month a sub- 
scription of $1,000 was obtained by Professor Brown among the 
Faculty and citizens for the purchase of the organ which con- 
tinued in use till the renovation of the church in 1893. It was 
set up in the gallery at the south end of the house in July ready 
for Commencement, and, of course, supplanted the orchestra 
in that place. 

Launched, as it was, at a period of intense activity and interest 
in musical circles, the society under the leadership of Professor 
Hubbard was brought into intimate association with several 
other prominent societies. In July, 1809, a connection, proposed 
in August, 1808, was formed in furtherance of the common 
object, with the "Middlesex Musical Society" of New Ipswich, 
N. H., (where Professor Hubbard formerly resided), whereby 
the societies mutually admitted the members of the other to 
honorary membership and established a correspondence on 
musical topics. Their plan contemplated an extension of the 
combination to other similar bodies, and periodical joint public 
meetings. 

Their first meeting of this kind was at Concord, September 
19, 1810, when they gave a public concert with about forty 
performers and listened to an oration from Rev. Samuel Wor- 
cester, which was published. Though the day was rainy there 



556 History of Dartmouth College. 

was a large audience. Of the Handel Society performers Jona- 
than Curtis, of the class of 1811, and Misses Mary and Annette 
Woodward, daughters of Hon. William H. Woodward, "attracted 
particular attention and applause." The next joint meeting, 
September 24, 181 1, was at Merriam's Hall in Amherst, on another 
rainy day, where these societies were joined by the long estab- 
lished "Handelian Society" of Amherst, and by the "Central 
Musical Society" of Concord. Rev, Asa McFarland, president 
of the latter, delivered the oration.^ 

On August 27, 1812, Thursday of Commencement week, the 
associated societies met in Hanover, where they were addressed 
by Levi Woodbury, and performed various pieces that "good 
judges pronounced unequivocally excellent." In September, 
18 13, the joint meeting appears to have been held at Groton, 
Mass. It is. not certain that this stated connection much longer 
subsisted, but the interest in music continued yet for many years 
in effect unabated. After Professor Hubbard's death in 18 10, 
Judge Woodward accepted the presidency and after him, in 
1815, Dr. R, D. Mussey, who led the society devotedly for 
many subsequent years, being with some periodical intermissions 
its president until his removal to Ohio in 1838. He and Deacon 
Samuel Long habitually assisted with voice and instrument 
in the regular Sabbath services. Subsequent to the time of 
Dr. Mussey the graduate presidents took no active part in the 
society. 

The fourth of July, 18 18, as has elsewhere been told, was 
celebrated by a joint meeting in Hanover, with the "Hubbard" 
musical society of Orford and Piermont which had been incor- 
porated in 18 1 6. There were at that time in the state upward 
of twenty incorporated societies devoted to sacred music, includ- 
ing a New Hampshire State society incorporated in 181 8 in 
which Dr. Mussey was very prominent. Beginning with 1808 
the Hanover society had annually, with scarce an exception 
down to 1 83 1, a public musical performance and an oration 
during some part of Commencement week; after that year the 
oration disappears. In general it occupied the evening or the 
morning of Tuesday. In 181 1 it took place on Wednesday 
evening, follwed by "an elegant and splendid ball," not (it is 
needless to say) under the auspices of the society. 

On November 9, 1821, the Handel Society gave an oratorio, 
to which the citizens were invited, and "sang before a numerous 

» A. Kendall's Autobiography, p. 54. 



The Handel Society. 557 

audience." At the inauguration of President Tyler, March 
27, 1822, they sang two choruses, "The Great Jehovah," and 
the "Hallelujah Chorus," and "everything went well." For 
Commencement that year they planned a grand "Oratorio," 
with an admittance fee of twenty-five cents, but promised 
assistants from Boston failed and it was given up. The fourth 
of July, 1823, was celebrated by an "Oratorio" of which the 
following was the programme: 

I, Old Hundred; 2, Prayer by President Tyler; 3, after which was sung, 
The Lord sitteth above the water floods; 4, Declaration of Independence 
read by Esq. Olcott; 5, Song, Strike the Cymbals; 6, Oration by Bro. Samuel 
Delano; 7, Anthem, Holy Lord God; Intercession, and Handel's Grand 
Hallelujah. The exercises throughout were excellent and appropriate, highly 
creditable to the performers, and satisfactory to a numerous and splendid 
audience. 

The term "Oratorio," as this illustrates, was then commonly 
applied to a sacred concert of any kind, including, of course, 
the Society's Commencement anniversary. In 1828 we first 
read of an admittance fee actually collected on such an 
occasion. The tickets were twenty-five cents each, and the 
sale of them realized $88.86. Students of the College were 
admitted free, and each member of the society had the privilege 
of inviting two ladies. "The performances," says the record, 
"were rather boisterous and, therefore, were acceptable to the 
multitude." To show the character of these exhibitions one 
or two programmes are reproduced. October 28, 1836, the 
society gave a concert of sacred music in the college chapel. 

Chant — Our Father who art in Heaven A non 

Prayer 

Address by Tutor Adams 

Chorus— The Multitude of Angels M. P. King 

Solo and Chorus — Go forth to the Mount Stevens 

Trio — The Bright Bird Mozart 

Chorus — He sees and he believes Bishop 

Solo — Source of Light — Power Divine Mozart 

Chorus — With Angels and Archangels A non 

Trio — I would not live alway Kingsley 

Solo and Chorus — Lift up your stately heads, ye doors Anon 

Trio — How sweet is the song of the lark Anon 

Solo and Chorus — Lo, He cometh Haydn 

Duet — Arrayed in clouds of golden light Shaw 

Anthem — Rejoice, O ye righteous Chappie 

Duet — All things fair and bright are thine Shaw 

Chorus — Wake the song of jubilee Haydn 

Chorus — Glory be to God on high Mozart 



558 History of Dartmouth College. 

On Tuesday evening preceding Commencement, July 24, 1838, 
the society with help of the band gave a concert in the meet- 
ing house. The next year on Wednesday evening, July 24, 
they gave a similar concert of sacred music on their own respon- 
sibility, assisted by Messrs. Kendall, Pushee and Post. The 
price of admission as before was twenty-five cents. Preparatory 
to this concert there was a warm discussion in the society as to 
the propriety of mingling secular music with sacred. By a 
majority of 22 to 8 the decision was in favor of the innovation, and 
two members of the committee resigned in consequence. The 
society in spite of its decision was doubtful of the result, but 
made a distinguished success. Though the evening was very 
warm the lower part of the meeting house was full, both aisles 
and slips, and many were in the galleries. The words of all the 
songs in the following programme were printed in full in a four- 
page leaflet for the occasion: 

1. Duet and Chorus — O Lord, our Governor Stevens 

2. Duet — Who's this that on tempest rides Shaw 

3. Chorus — Child of Mortality Bray 

4. Duet — Arrayed in clouds of golden light Shaw 

5. Chorus — Awake, put on thy strength, O arm of the Lord, 

Neukomm 

6. Chorus — He sees and believes Bishop 

7. Chorus — The Heavens are telling the Glory of the Lord . . Haydn 

8. Chorus — O Father, whose almighty power Handel 

9. Trio— The May Fly Dr. Calcott 

10. Chorus — When winds breathe soft Webb 

11. Trio — Fly on bright bird Mozart 

12. Solo and Chorus — Rejoice in the Lord Chappie 

13. Trio — The Skylark Anon 

14. Chorus — The Nativity Whitaker 

On July 27, 1842, the society gave its last Commencement 
concert. It was principally from the Oratorio of David, intro- 
duced with Handel's Hailstone Chorus and closed with the 
Grand Hallelujah Chorus of Beethoven. The libretto covers 
twelve printed pages. 

During all these earlier years, and to a great extent down to 
more recent times, the Handel Society regularly furnished 
music for the annual Commencement anniversary of the Theo- 
logical Society, for which they made careful preparation, and 
for all other special occasions, such as the oratorical quarter- 
days, the annual medical Commencement in November, and 
occasional eulogies, etc. In May, 1841, in connection with a 



The Handel Society. 559 

eulogy of President Harrison by Professor Haddock, the society 
among other things sang an original dirge composed by Leonard 
Swain of the class of 1841. 

This period was distinguished in the College, among other 
things, by an unusual array of musical talent, and the Handel 
Society shone out with peculiar brilliancy. Concerts were given 
in many neighboring towns, and for a short time a custom was 
observed of obtaining each year a public address on music from 
the Prime President, in connection with a concert by the society. 
Among these were addresses from Rev. John Richards in 1842, 
from Professor S. G. Brown in June, 1843, and from Professor 
Alpheus Crosby in July, 1847. This was also the period, under 
the influence of Lowell Mason and others, of a general revival 
in sacred music through the medium of conventions. In many 
of these the Handel Society took active part; at Lyme, October, 
1844, at Haverhill, August, 1845, at Orford, June, 1847, at 
Windsor, June, 1848, at Montpelier, May, 1850, at Lebanon, 
November, 1853 (conducted for three days by Lowell Mason), 
and at Woodstock, June, 1854. In September, 1849, it furnished 
music at the agricultural fair held in this village in connection 
with an oration by Professor Sanborn, and a concert in the 
evening in the chapel. 

About 1850, however, the society suffered a serious decline. 
Afterward, at different times, it enjoyed periods of flattering 
revival, but never resumed its ancient importance. Its exist- 
ence was prolonged for many years for the sake of the musical 
part of the services in the chapel and church, for which from 
1855 it received an annual allowance from the college treasury, 
but the change in the musical interests of the students from the 
classical and serious to the lighter expressed itself through the 
organization of a glee club, which appeared in the seventies, 
and finally the Handel Society gradually retired into the back- 
ground. Its last recorded meeting was held June 19, 1888, 
at which, as if to emphasize the change in the organization, 
instead of noting a musical programme, as in earlier years, 
the only vote passed was one "to leave the matter of a banquet 
to the Censors to report at an early date." No report seems to 
have been made and we do not know whether the banquet came 
off or not; if it did, it seems to have been fatal, for within four 
years all trace of the society disappears except its name, and 
even its library and its instruments have been wholly lost. 

There is every reason to be proud of the record which this 



56o History of Dartmouth College. 

society made. Ritter in his history of "Music in America" ^ 
awards it the highest praise. "Among those musical societies, " 
says he, "which at the early part of this century were formed 
throughout New England, I consider the above-mentioned 
Handel Society of Dartmouth College — next to the Boston 
Handel and Haydn Society — the one that was in many respects 
most beneficial in its influence. . . . It is claimed, with 
much justice, that some of the best vocal and instrumental 
musicians have been sent forth from the Dartmouth Handel 
Society to various parts of the country." To a member of this 
society, graduated in 1842, Dr. Jabez B. Upham, and afterward 
President of the Boston Handel and Haydn Society, has been 
ascribed, in large degree, the building of the Boston Music Hall, 
the great organ, the musical festivals and the musical instruction 
in the schools. 

1 Pp. lOS. 106. 



The Religious Societies. 561 



RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

It is not possible to say with confidence when a reHgious society 
was first organized in the College. The church gathered by 
the first President, January i, 1771, was itself essentially a 
college society presided over by Wheelock himself; and there 
is no reason to suppose that any other was for a considerable 
time thought to be necessary. But it would be expected that 
societies of this character should arise as early as any, and that 
they would be encouraged by the college authorities. 

The earliest society of this nature whereof any certain memorial 
exists, appears to have been organized in 1801, and to have 
been styled simply, "The Religious Society of Dartmouth 
College." All that we know of it is derived from mere chance 
allusions. We learn from a newspaper announcement of the 
exercises at Commencement in August, 1804, that on the pre- 
ceding Saturday evening at five o'clock an oration on "Charity" 
was delivered by Daniel Thurston before "the Religious Society." 
Similar exercises are noted as occurring in honor of a society of 
that name on Monday afternoon of Commencement week in 
1805 and 1806. In 1807 the oration was before the "Theological 
Society," which finds like mention under that name each succeed- 
ing year, excepting in 1809, when the body is styled "the Society 
of the Religiosi." 

The first official record we have of the Theological Society 
of modern times bears date April 24, 1808, and is in these words, 
"Resolved that the Constitution denominated the Constitution 
of the Religiosi of Dartmouth College commencing with the 
first page of this volume has been and is accepted and substituted 
instead of the Constitution of the Religious Society of Dart- 
mouth College organized A.D. 1801." 

From these various allusions we are permitted to infer that 
the old "Religious Society," founded in 1801, was transformed 
in 1806 or 1807 into the new Theological Society which in 1808 
coalesced with another society, having similar objects, styled 
the "Religiosi," that had for an uncertain period co-existed 
with the first, in an organic form more generally acceptable. 
That alongside the new title the society still retained the more 
generic designation of "Religiosi," is evident from the occasional 
but persistent recurrence of that name from time to time even 
36 



562 History of Dartmouth College. 

after the passage of a unanimous vote in August, 1815, with 
consent of the primarius, definitely "to change the name of 
the society from the ReUgiosi, to the Theological." 

It is the only ancient society connected with the College that 
has preserved its activity unimpaired, and essentially unchanged 
in form, without interruption to the present day, though its 
constitution has been subjected to innumerable changes in matters 
of detail and the society has accepted a change of name and 
new relationships. Its records are complete from 1808, except- 
ing one volume covering the period between 1838 and 1845, 
which has been lost. In 1868 an admirable historical account 
of it was prepared by Charles H. Chandler of the senior class, 
under the direction of the society, and published in a pamphlet, 
which had been of great assistance in the preparation of this 
chapter. 

The original members in 1808 are said to have numbered but 
ten. Seven more were added before the ensuing Commence- 
ment. There have been, of course, great fluctuations in num- 
bers. An addition of four in 18 12 occasioned great rejoicing, 
as did eight more in 1813, and eighteen in 1815. The procession 
at Commencement in 18 16 numbered more than sixty. In 1826 
there appears to have been about thirty. In 1834 eighty are 
recorded as present and voting, eighty-four in 1836 and seventy- 
two in 1868. The class of 1842 furnished fifty, the class of 
1845 nine, and classes till recent times from ten to twenty-eight. 
Up to 1868 the grand total was twelve hundred, including four 
hundred and fifty ministers, sixty professors, sixteen presidents. 
Members were drawn without distinction from all the under- 
graduate classes. 

In October, 18 14, and for some years afterward (certainly 
till 1822), invitations were extended to medical students, and 
in 1868 to members of the Scientific Department, a proposition 
of that sort respecting the latter having been before ineffectually 
moved in 1852. The first constitution restricted membership 
to persons giving "evidence of experimental acquaintance with 
the religion of the gospel." In 1832 invitation was given to all 
freshmen that were "members in good standing of an orthodox 
Christian church." The constitution in its later forms admitted 
"any member of the institution who is a member of any Chris- 
tian church in regular standing, believing in man's entire 
depravity, the Divinity of Christ, the atonement, regeneration 
and future rewards and punishments." 



The Religious Societies. 563 

At first two adverse votes excluded a candidate, later a unan- 
imous election was necessary at a regular meeting where more 
than half of the society should be present. In 1869 the door 
was opened to "any member of College who is interested in the 
objects of the society," and it is to be inferred that a majority 
vote was sufficient for an election, but later a return was had to 
church membership as a basis of admission. 

As to officers, the society has never thought it necessary to 
be very elaborately equipped. The President of the College 
was from the first perpetual primarius, and the members of the 
senior class presided at the meetings in rotation. There was 
of course a recording secretary, and the affairs of the society, 
including the assignment of duties, were from first to last man- 
aged by a committee. By the constitution of 1808 three ab- 
sences from stated meetings subjected a member to expulsion, 
a rule never enforced in its stringency. The same constitution 
denounced expulsion upon any member who should "indulge 
himself in scenes of revelry and intemperance or in any species 
of gambling, or (as added a few years later) in attendance at 
balls and assemblies or in any sense tolerate them." 

In 181 1 a m.ember of the graduating class was expelled for 
"countenancing a scene of revelry," insulting a tutor, listening 
unmoved to profanity and imitating the behavior of a drunken 
man. He retorted with charges of shutting up cattle against 
two other members, who confessed and were forgiven. The 
secretary adds to the record with a genuine burst of feeling, 
"We all felt moved — God grant we may use new solicitude 
to support the honor of the Christian name." 

In 1824 a member, likewise of the graduating class, was 
expelled for consenting to be a manager at the Commencement 
ball, and again, with the approbation of the President of the 
College and the pastor, another for the same cause in 1847. 

But the most fertile occasion of discipline was, for many years, 
intemperance. No wonder that the "moral society" drew 
hearty support from the "Religiosi." In 1827 the members of 
this society signed and circulated a pledge "to abstain from the 
use of wine and to withhold patronage from those who sell it," 
and sent a committee to "inform the traders on the plain." 
The temperance pledge was renewed in 1832 and 1833, and, 
in consequence of some indiscretion of that sort indulged in 
by some of the members on occasion of being elected to office, 
the practice of treating was condemned. In 1836 it was again 



564 History of Dartmouth College. 

voted that "the practice of treating on election to office and 
other occasions is inconsistent with a reputable profession of 
religion," though in the specific instance which gave rise to the 
condemnation "palliating circumstances" and contrition saved 
the offender. In April, 1815, at one of the meetings, a "conver- 
sation was held on the propriety, or rather impropriety, of 
professed [Christians] joining in the common amusement of ball- 
playing with the students for exercise," and a few weeks later 
"there were many spirited remarks on the subject of nocturnal 
cowhunting, and the society was unanimous in condemning it, 
and in voting to render it improper and contemptible." This 
is not the only time that the same subject came up. It ought 
to be mentioned as a "palliating circumstance" that the occa- 
sion of the practice was the fact that the college green or common, 
being yet unfenced, the village cows were habitually pastured 
thereon, much to the inconvenience of the students in their 
sports. At about the same period the habit of going to the post 
office on Sabbath days for letters and papers was condemned.* 
Indeed, one cannot fail to be impressed, on reading these memo- 
rials of the past, with the uniform, sincere and earnest purpose 
of the members to keep their Christian character above the 
shadow of reproach, and the general moderation and wisdom of 
their measures to that end. 

The regular meetings of the society have always been held 
weekly. At first they fell on Sundays, in the morning. The 
transaction of secular business, such as election of officers, etc., 
was, when the necessity arose, adjourned to the following day. 
In December, 1813, the time was changed to Thursday evening, 
and in September, 1814, to Monday evening, where it regularly 
remained, sometimes before supper, as in 1822, but generally 
after it. It was then for the first time voted to hire the bell 
rung every Monday evening, and a committee of two was 
appointed to prepare wood and candles. This need arose 
from their occupancy of the public room known as "Society 
Hall," a room in Dartmouth Hall about this time devoted by 
the college authorities to the use of all the societies in rotation. 
The ordinary meetings of this society had been until then held 
at the rooms of the members. Thereafter (excepting about a 
year in 18 18 and 18 19 when they were excluded by the "would 

•October 26, 183s. 



The Religious Societies. 565 

be University," ^ and a time in 1828-1829 while Dartmouth 
Hall was being remodeled when they were held in the "Acad- 
emy"), the meetings were statedly in the common Society Hall 
until November, 1867, when they were transferred to the room 
of the Society of Inquiry, and in January, 1868, to a "Theolog- 
ical Hall," which was fitted up by the College, aided by a sub- 
scription among students, Faculty and townspeople, in the 
northeast corner of the ground floor of Thornton Hall for the 
joint use of the two societies, and which continued still in the 
occupancy of these societies till the opening of Bartlett Hall. 

The exercises, at first perhaps purely devotional, were from 
June, 1808, made to include one or more dissertations on religious 
or theological topics, carefully and designedly eschewing, for 
the most part, debate; though for a while, beginning in April, 
1824, and perhaps for other brief periods afterward, a discussion 
formed a part of the regular programme. The dissertations 
were to be "exhibited by the members according to classical 
and alphabetical order," upon subjects selected by the standing 
committee. While never secret, attendance at the stated society 
meetings has in general been confined to members. In 1812 
a vote was recorded after some hesitation allowing members 
to invite other religious friends to accompany them. 

In April, 1815, it was voted to appropriate the first Monday 
evening in each month to "prayer for the spread of the gospel 
among the heathen," and this was, thenceforward, a permanent 
arrangement. Meetings for a similar object began (at about 
the same time, we suppose) to be held by the village people 
at the school house, and the society for short periods united 
with them (viz.. May, 1816, June, 1816, December, 1817, but in 
June, 1818, the society refused to join). In April, 1835, these 
meetings were ordered to be at the old chapel and public, but 
in general the society preferred to meet by itself, and in October, 
1822, laid it down as the duty of its members to attend the 
monthly concert at the hall instead of going to the villagers' 
meeting at the school house. In October, 1826, after confer- 
ence with President Tyler it was voted to unite in monthly 
concerts with the church, but the vote was rescinded at the 
next meeting. 

1 The loyalty of the society to the old College is evidenced by the following record, made 
March 8, 1819. on the occasion of its restoration to the privileges of the hall: "Thanks to God, 
the College is re-established in the possession of its rights and privileges. We believe it to be 
by the kind interposition of Providence that Dartmouth College has withstood the flood of 
evil doers that has risen up against it." 



566 History of Dartmouth College. 

Among the outside duties assumed by the society was a public 
Saturday evening conference meeting conducted by its members 
and under its control, which began with the great revival of 
1815 and continued until 1893. In May, 1815, it was ordered 
that the senior members of the society preside on Saturday 
evenings as in the meetings of the society. In April, 1817, it 
was voted to attend Saturday evening conference at the school 
house, and in 1826 a committee was chosen to make fires for 
the meetings there. In July, 1828, it was voted to give up the 
Saturday evening meetings usually held in the school house, 
and have, instead, a prayer meeting in the Society Hall. In 
September, 1828, this meeting was in the Academy, but it was 
resumed in the school house in February, 1829. In 1833 it 
appears in the chapel in Dartmouth Hall, and from August, 
1835, it was statedly in the old chapel, which then stood tempo- 
rarily near where the Administration Building now stands, but 
in 1846 it was finally removed to the vestry, where it was held 
until 1869, when it was taken to the society room. 

In April, 1817, the rule was inaugurated of requiring at each 
monthly concert a contribution of at least one cent from each 
member for foreign missions. In 18 19 on motion of Brother 
William T. Haddock it was voted that the society "raise annually 
money sufficient to support at school a native boy of Ceylon, 
who shall be named Francis Brown." This was faithfully car- 
ried out until, on October 13, 1828, "the society having received 
intelligence of the misconduct of Francis Brown, the heathen 
child supported by them, and that he had left the missionary 
school and obstinately persisted in this course of conduct regard- 
less of the expostulations of the missionaries," it was "voted 
that whereas it may have a beneficial effect on his mind to 
address an affectionate letter to him. Brother Asa D. Smith 
be appointed a committee to perform this duty." The future 
President's persuasive powers must have been yet undeveloped, 
for we find no further mention of this Francis Brown, and the 
contributions were thenceforward given unrestricted to the 
Foreign Missionary Society. The subscriptions recorded during 
a period of twenty-two years amounted to nearly $300. 

A third weekly prayer and conference meeting was pretty 
constantly maintained by members of the society for many years, 
on Sunday at some convenient room in the College, for the special 
benefit of all the students. Being outside the regular scheme 
of society duty, it finds but occasional mention in the records. 



The Religions Societies. 567 

We first hear of it there In November, 1818, again in 1832, and 
again in 1846. It has been frequently held in recent years as 
a neighborhood meeting in some private house in the village. 

There have been at times set on foot by the society other 
local enterprises of a missionary character, and in May, 1827, it 
was seriously but ineffectually proposed to make the society 
a branch of a tract society, not specifically indicated. In 1832 
and again in 1850, a systematic distribution of tracts was under- 
taken in the near neighborhood, and at times religious canvassing 
throughout the village and the town has been practised. Meet- 
ings in the fall and spring were often specially devoted to con- 
ferences for the benefit of those who taught school during the 
winter, upon the means of Christian usefulness in that capacity. 
Active correspondence was for many years carried on with similar 
societies at other institutions, and with missionaries in China 
and India. The custom was begun with an exchange of letters 
with brothers at the Theological Seminary in Andover, at the 
request of graduate members there, communicated by Daniel 
Poor in March, 1813. It was extended to Middlebury College 
in 1814, to Yale and to the "Praying Society" at Brown Univer- 
sity in 1 815, and to Bowdoin in 18 16, afterwards to Waterville, 
Amherst, Williams and Harvard, and to the Seminary at Auburn, 
N. Y., to that at Bangor, Me., and to Meriden Academy. The 
correspondence was at first carried on by special committees 
who presented each letter for approval before sending it, and 
afterward by a corresponding secretary. 

In June, 1813, this society began to gather a library by sub- 
scribing for the Christian Observer and the Panoplist, and soon 
after for Scott's Bible, then in course of publication in numbers. 
In 1819 an inventory disclosed little else besides pamphlets 
and thirteen bound volumes of the periodicals above mentioned. 
In March, 1838, the library was divided between the Social 
Friends and the United Fraternity, but the subscriptions to 
four religious periodicals were continued, the numbers being 
placed for convenience in the reading rooms of the same two 
societies until 1846, when they were withdrawn. The book 
case belonging to the society in 1838 was given to the Society 
of Inquiry. 

Like all the earlier societies the Theological Society too, was 
accustomed from its birth to celebrate that event each year 
at the college Commencement, with an oration or a sermon, 
and generally the service of the Handel Society was obtained to 



568 History of Dartmouth College. 

furnish appropriate music. Sometimes band music has been 
substituted, but not without frequent objection. From 1804 
until 1837 with two exceptions, 1815 and 1827, the oration, 
when it occurred (as it generally did), was from some member 
of the society in the graduating class. Ever since, to the present 
time, it has been by some person invited from abroad. In 
1 81 5 a brother had been designated, but, being sick, the Rev. 
Thaddeus Osgood of the class of 1803 consented to supply the 
sermon. In 1846 fourteen gentlemen in turn declined the 
honor. While the duty was discharged by one of the brethren, 
it was customary to require him to read his piece to the society 
(toward the last to a committee) for approbation a few days 
before delivery. 

In 1804 the anniversary was held on Saturday preceding 
Commencement at five o'clock P. M. Thereafter it occurred 
on Monday afternoon until 1829 when it became the first exercise 
on Tuesday morning, and ten years later, when Commencement 
was changed to Thursday, it was transferred to Wednesday 
morning. In 1841 it became the last thing in the afternoon, 
but from 1853 to 1871 it was held Tuesday evening; the attend- 
ance, however, fell off to such an extent that in the latter year it 
was again transferred to Sunday evening, where it continued 
till it was finally abandoned in 1907. From i8i3toi8i9 there 
was delivered on the evening of Tuesday, by some clergyman 
from abroad, what was called the " concio ad clerum.'' 

The Society of Inquiry grew out of the special interest in 
missions on the part of the Theological Society already referred 
to, and was formed in March, 1821, by several members of that 
society specially interested in the subject. It had for its object 
"to inquire into the state of the Heathen, the importance of 
missions, the best means of conducting them and the most 
eligible places for their establishment; and also to disseminate 
information relative to these objects, with a view to excite 
the attention of Christians to their importance." Members 
were admitted only by unanimous vote, and ceased to be such 
by absenting themselves from two successive meetings without 
sufficient excuse. None were admitted unless conscious of a 
special interest in the subject. 

Meetings were first held on the first Sunday evening of each 
month in term time, and, after a few months, after morning 
prayers on Monday. The ordinary exercises, assigned three 
months in advance, comprised dissertations on missionary sub- 



The Religious Societies. 569 

jects (for a time two in number, afterward but one), and criti- 
cisms thereon. In the autumn of 1826 negotiations were opened 
with the Theological Society, which resulted in a cessation of 
activity in the Society of Inquiry, and in a formal vote of dis- 
solution in March, 1827. But five weeks later a portion of its 
members with other Christian students renewed the organiza- 
tion upon the same basis as before. In 1831 the exercises were 
made to include, besides an essay, the presentation of a summary 
of the contents of the Missionary Herald and the Home Missionary 
Monthly, and the day of meeting was changed to the last Monday 
of the month. Soon after this the meetings were held fortnightly, 
and from March, 1839, weekly. From 1849 the meetings on the 
last Friday evening of each month were devoted to prayers for 
missions. 

A fee of twenty-five cents was paid on admission, and expended 
in subscriptions for missionary periodicals, which being preserved 
and bound formed the nucleus of a library devoted to this 
subject. To this was added a cabinet of heathen curiosities, 
begun about 1840 by gifts from Ira Tracy of the China, and 
Stephen Tracy of the Siam, Mission, and from W. C. Jackson 
at Constantinople. Until May, 1823, the meetings were held 
at the private rooms of the members. In the spring of 1841 
a room in the second story of Dartmouth Hall was appropriated 
by the College to the use of the society for its meetings, and 
for the safe keeping of its property. 

The constitution underwent several revisions till in July, 1869, 
the society coalesced with the Theological Society under a new 
constitution and the title of the " Theological and Missionary 
Society," but in 1875, from the belief that the existing name did 
not properly represent the purposes of the society, the name 
was changed to the "Christian Fraternity." Seven years later, 
in order to bring itself into closer relations with other similar 
organizations, the Fraternity took the title of the Dartmouth 
Young Men's Christian Association. It was warmly supported 
by President Bartlett, who, as has been told, was largely instru- 
mental in securing a building for its exclusive use, but the impulse 
that came from its new home was not lasting and within a few 
years it became evident that the Association was not maintaining 
itself as a strong influence in the College. 

In examining the situation President Tucker felt that it was 
important to put the Association under the direction of a graduate 
secretary, and with the help of a generous and confidential gift 



570 History of Dartmouth College. 

he secured, in the fall of 1896, Henrj' O. Aiken of the class of 
1887 for that place. Mr. Aiken possessed extraordinary qual- 
ities for the work. To sympathy, insight and appreciation he 
added clear judgment and executive force, by which he gained 
the good will and assumed the leadership of those with whom 
he worked. In the short space of a few months he vitalized 
the Association and gave it a promise of great effectiveness, but 
in June of 1897 he was stricken with a sudden illness and died 
within two days. 

Since his death the Association has been fortunate in having 
for a part of the time graduate secretaries who have been able 
leaders. At other times it has worked through its own under- 
graduate organization. In order to give itself a somewhat 
greater latitude of membership and to associate itself as closely 
as possible with the other interests of the College it changed its 
name in 1905 to the Dartmouth Christian Association, and 
the basis of membership from membership in an evangelical 
church to "any Dartmouth man who was willing to support 
its object," although the privilege of voting and holding office 
was restricted to members of evangelical churches. Under this 
system and with the growth of the College the membership of 
the Association increased in successive classes three or fourfold. 
To its neighborhood activities, which have been continued, 
it has of late years added evangelizing tours by groups of its 
members to different parts of the state, and within the College 
itself has made efforts, by the formation of classes, to promote 
the systematic study of the Bible and the discussion of religious 
interests. 



Commencements. 571 



COMMENCEMENTS. 



The college Commencement has been at Hanover, as in other 
college towns, the notable day of the year, bringing a concourse 
of distinguished and learned men from abroad, and, unti Irecently, 
a general holiday for all the country within a radius of twenty 
miles or more around. Of late its importance in all particulars, 
except socially for the alumni, has greatly diminished. The 
graduate or the visitor of today gets no conception of what the 
occasion was even a half century ago. A clergyman, a graduate 
of Edinburgh, present here at that period remarked that there 
was "more ado over the anniversary of that little College in 
America, than at all the universities of Europe." ^ 

In the height of its glory, and within the memory of the older 
alumni, this occasion combined with the genuine and refined 
pleasures of a great literary gathering all the external attractions 
appropriate to a fair or a general muster of the olden time. The 
din of preparation for these began with the break of day on 
Monday by the construction of booths in choice spots about 
the southwestern corner of the Green. During that day and the 
next every public conveyance brought its contribution till all the 
houses of the village, both public and private, were filled with 
guests. On the morning of Wednesday all approaches to the 
village were crowded with vehicles of every description, and 
numerous foot passengers as well, all hurrying in to see the fun. 
By this time every available spot along the southern extremity of 
the square would be occupied with a booth of a trader, and, as 
the day passed, travelling adventurers swarmed in with their carts 
and bivouacked on the spot. The night that followed was enli- 
vened with their lamps and the buzz of preparation, and some- 
times with the persuasions of the students, who, not relishing 
their presence, attempted to induce them to depart. The sur- 
rounding country was emptied into Hanover. Instances are not 
wanting of persons who have attended fifty consecutive Com- 
mencements. 

The peddlers, the auctioneers, the jugglers and the shows with 
their attendant throngs would spread far up toward the meeting 
house, and with the cider, the strong beer openly sold, and the 

1 An interesting picture of Coinmencemeat is given in J. G. Holland's story. "Miss Gilbert's 
Career," chapter XXIII. 



572 History of Dartmouth College. 

stronger drink scarcely concealed, toward evening the crowds 
would wax ruder and the turmoil more furious, until it not 
seldom resulted in a brawl, so that all orderly people breathed 
freer if the usual thunder shower dispersed the noisy and profane 
rabble. 

A newspaper correspondent, writing August 21, 1833, said:^ 
" I was sorry to see such a host of peddlars, gamblers, drunkards 
and shows. I was never more astonished than to find at such an 
anniversary and at such a place the unaccountable degree of 
immorality and vice that I have witnessed today. I should 
think there were in sight of one another thirty places of gambling. 
During the performances in the meeting house the vociferations 
of a dozen auctioneers were distinctly to be heard in the house." 
The fashion began with the first Commencement in 1771 when 
the whole country gathered to welcome Governor Wentworth 
and his suite, and were regaled on the Green by his order with a 
barbecued ox, and a barrel of rum.* The example thus set was 
easily followed and led to such excess that in 1775 the students 
resolved to "discountenance all vain frolicking" on this occasion, 
and presented a petition to the Trustees for their help against 
the "fashionable vices" and "to discredit all appearance of dissi- 
pation, licentiousness, prophaneness and irreligion, especially on 
that day of public rejoicing." 

In 1 801 a visitor from abroad, Rev. Archibald Alexander,^ 
returning from a call on the President to his room in one of the 
taverns (there were then two in the place), "was surprised to 
find the whole house filled with a strange and motley multitude. 
My own room," he wrote, "was occupied by a company of 
gamblers and the usual circle of lookers on. I loudly asserted 
my claim to the room and made appeal to the host. He declared 
himself unable to turn the people out. The Green Mountain 
boys appeared to be good natured but perfectly unpracticable." 
Mr. William Dewey, writing of it in 1835, says that from time 
immemorial "noise tumult and revelry, gambling, tipling and 
profaneness prevailed." 

This condition of things, somewhat amended by the stringency 
of the liquor laws and by the gradual change in public sentiment, 
continued with some fluctuations till nearly i860, when deter- 
mined and persistent efforts on the part of the authorities aided 

^Portsmouth Journal, August 31, 1833. 'Life of Rev. Dr. A. Alexander, p. 259. 

'Vol. I, p. 230. 



Commencements. 573 

by a change in the time of holding the anniversary gradually 
brought these evils ahnost to an end. 

The same causes that made possible this most desirable reform 
also brought about a decided change in the character and impor- 
tance of the occasion in other respects. The gathering of literati 
is no longer the same, and the interest once general is now con- 
fined to those immediately concerned in the exercises, and to 
graduates whom class reunions or other special circumstances 
draw together. The imposing array of numerous processions 
and the sword and sash of the high sheriff marshal have passed 
away, no doubt forever, as well as the overpowering abundance 
of literary entertainment that at its maximum was simply 
appalling. 

For about fifteen years, until the societies came into the field 
with their anniversaries, the exercises at Commencement were 
confined to a single day. The earliest record we have of enlarge- 
ment is in 1787 when the United Fraternity celebrated its first 
anniversary on Tuesday preceding Commencement day "in the 
hall," — the College Hall no doubt — with a dialogue and an ora- 
tion. Whether the Social Friends had done the same after their 
formation in 1783 we do not know, as their early records are lost. 
They certainly were not behind the Fraters thereafter, and claimed 
precedence by reason of seniority; so that, as early at least as 
1792, both Monday and Tuesday were occupied. There was 
an address to the Musical Society on Monday at one o'clock, 
followed at five by an oration to the Social Friends, and at seven 
by an entertaining original comedy by its members. 

On Tuesday morning came the Phi Beta Kappa oration, fol- 
lowed by the United Fraternity with an oration at five, and in the 
evening with "a pleasing dialogue." This was the basis of sub- 
sequent arrangements. By way of exception, in 1804, the 
Religious Society held its anniversary on Saturday preceding 
Commencement, and in 18 12 Thursday, the day after Com- 
mencement, was for once occupied by a joint meeting of the 
Handel Society and other musical societies from abroad. From 
that time also the exercises of the literary societies were simpli- 
fied and Monday was left exclusively to the Theological Society. 
In 18 19 the enthusiasm bred by the successful end of litigation 
again carried the celebration over to Thursday with a grand 
jubilee and dinner of the Phi Beta Kappa. This society, thence- 
forth, retained that day until the rearrangements of 1835. Prize 
speaking began in 1821 with an exhibition on Wednesday, the 



574 History of Dartmouth College. 

evening of Commencement day. From 1822 to its discontinu- 
ance in 1834 the prize exhibition took place at eight o'clotk A.M. 
on Thursday, the Phi Beta Kappas following at eleven. 

The number of society anniversaries after a time greatly dimin- 
ished, and in 1837 the burdens of Commencement were still fur- 
ther relieved by the union, under pressure from the Faculty, of 
the two literary societies in a single joint celebration. In 1839 
the Commencement exercises being themselves permanently 
transferred to Thursday, the society anniversaries fell for the 
future on Wednesday. But there was still an abundance of 
oratory. In 1840 there were on Wednesday of Commencement 
week four addresses, one at ten A. M. by Dr. Beecher before the 
Theological Society on "Defence of Edwards against Fatalism," 
followed immediately by one two hours long by Rev. Dr. Henry 
before the Phi Beta Kappa Society on "The Demands of the 
Age on Educated Men." After a recess Rev. Mr. Lunt gave an 
address before the literary societies, which "some called very 
fine, others thought his subject was buried in the rubbish of 
words," and in the evening Professor Samuel G. Brown gave his 
inaugural address on "Oratory." ^ 

The time of holding the Commencement has, since the death 
of the founder, been subjected to a gradual but constant preces- 
sion. The first two occasions were celebrated on the last Wed- 
nesday of August. In 1776 it was held for special reasons on 
July 24, but with that exception until 1779, inclusive, it occurred 
on the last Thursday in August. It was then changed (for what 
reason we do not know) to the third Wednesday of September 
and so held from 1780 to 1788. From then till 1835, "the reason 
for the change in 1779 having now ceased," it was held on the 
fourth Wednesday of August, excepting 1818, 1819, 1828-1830, 
1833 and 1834, when it was on the third Wednesday of the 
month. In 1835 the day was changed to the last Wednesday of 
July, with the result of a much smaller attendance than usual 
and "an unusual degree of decorum," and in 1839 to the last 
Thursday of the same month. In 1864 it was again changed to 
the last Thursday but one of July, and in 1872 to the last Thurs- 
day of June. In 1893 it was put one day earlier, on the last 
Wednesday of June, which is the present date. 

The place in which the exercises were held at the first was a 
booth or tent near the old college building on the southeast corner 
of the Green. In 1772 it is spoken of as a building, 40 by 55 feet, 

* Vermont Chronicle, August 5, 1840. 



Commencements. 575 

which was too small to hold the people. In 1774 Dr. Belknap 
says the exercises were held in a tent erected in the open air on 
the eastern [western?] side of the College/ and covered with 
boards. They were undoubtedly transferred the next year to the 
recently enlarged "College Hall." We hear of them there in 
1785. From 1787 to 1789 they were held in the unfinished Dart- 
mouth Hall; after that in the then new chapel until the meeting 
house was ready for them in 1795. Here all the exercises were 
afterward held, excepting a part of the day in 1799, and excepting 
also the centennial year 1869, when the great concourse made 
necessary larger accommodations in a mammoth tent on the 
Common, until the erection of Webster Hall, where the exercises 
of Commencement day have been held since 1908. 

The nature of the exercies has of course often varied greatly. 
They invariably opened and closed with prayer, which was char- 
acterized in early years as " solemn and well adapted," "able and 
pertinent," etc. The programme for the two earliest years was, 
as elsewhere shown, quite simple, occupying a single session for a 
part of the day, and conducted chiefly in Latin. Beginning with 
1773 there were two sessions, with an intermission. This fashion, 
offering six or seven parts in each session, many of them, however, 
dialogues and disputations with sometimes six or eight speakers 
in each, continued apparently without change, until the close 
of the century. In 1801, owing to class dissensions, the whole 
was shortened into a single sitting with but six parts, beginning 
at eleven o'clock, with the dinner at the close. In 1802 there 
were seven parts, in 1803, nine, in 1804, eleven, and in 1808 it was 
ordered that all the class should prepare parts, but that no more 
than fifteen, nor less than eight, should speak. In 1823 the num- 
ber of speakers rose to seventeen, and to nineteen in 1828. In 

1835 the abolition of the honor system led to the attempt to bring 
all of the graduating class impartially upon the stage. This 
occupied the entire day and necessitated a resort once more to 
an intermission for rest and refreshment. Under this short-lived 
arrangement the speakers were divided into four sections, or 
"departments" entitled respectively the chemical, mathematical 
and physical, rhetorical, and the department of moral and intel- 
lectual philosophy. In 1835 there were forty-six speakers, in 

1836 there were forty-seven, in 1837 thirty-six, and in 1838 forty- 
three, of whom, however, quite a number were "excused." The 
poet Longfellow, who chanced to be here at Commencement in 

1 See Volume I, p. 390. 



576 History of Dartmouth College. 

1837 as companion of Mr. Hilliard, the societies' orator, wrote 
to a friend: "Of the thirty-five orations 1 heard twenty-five this 
forenoon. A greater part of the afternoon I have passed on the 
balcony of the hotel, looking at the great crowd assembled round 
the carts of the peddlers who are selling their wares at auction." ^ 

Relief was found in 1839 in the use of the lot by which the 
number of speakers was reduced to twenty-seven, seventeen before 
and ten after the intermission. The intermission was discon- 
tinued in 1843. The number of speakers remained substantially 
unchanged until 1880 when they were reduced to seventeen, and 
in later years they have been brought down by successive changes 
to the present number of six. 

A procession has ever been one of the prominent features of the 
exercises. Until 18 19 it was regularly formed at the President's 
house, since then at the chapel. The order of march in Septem- 
ber, 1785, was this: "At ten o'clock the undergraduates formed 
themselves into a double line reaching from the President's gate 
[where Reed Hall now is] to the College Hall, nearly opposite, on 
the Green. The procession passed between the lines, uncovered, 
in this order — The President, the Rev. and Hon. Trustees, the 
Professors, Librarian and Secretary, and the Rev. Clerg\s two 
and two, and the students falling in closed the procession." 
With the clergy are mentioned in 1792 "other respectable char- 
acters," and in 1799, "gentlemen of a public character." 

The office next in importance to the President was the " Bedle," 
the modern "Marshal," to order the movements aright. While 
Governor Wentworth attended, the duty devolved upon the 
provincial high sheriff from Portsmouth. It was afterward 
generally entrusted to such gentlemen of a military character as 
Col. James Wheelock in 1791, Capt. Josiah Dunham, 1794-1798 
and Capt. George Woodward, 1 800-1 807. Some still living may 
remember the imposing grandeur in this character of the Grafton 
high sheriff. Col. Amos. A. Brewster, between 1820 and 1844, 
with his pompous manner and stentorian voice, his cocked hat 
and sword, his gold lace and sash, and his lisping invitation, with 
his hand upon his heart, to the fair sex for the evening levee. 

Music was an essential part of the Commencement from the 
very beginning. The exercises in 1771 were begun with an 
anthem, and closed by another. Anthems and other sacred 
music were, thereafter, habitually employed to break the monot- 
ony of the exercises. The musical society, as soon as formed, 

> Life of Longfellow, Volume I, p. 257. 



Commencements. 577 

had the responsibility of this part of the performances. The 
music for a long time was chiefly vocal, though instruments of 
some kind were quite early introduced. A band for marching, 
first introduced, so far as we know, in 1805, and regularly men- 
tioned till 1810 as heading the procession, was paid for in the main 
by voluntary contributions of the literary societies. The innova- 
tion was not acceptable to many, and repeated attempts were 
made to curtail or abolish the practice, but it is needless to say 
that these efforts were not permanently effective. 

In 1822 the Trustees determined to discourage the great 
expense which the band occasioned, and the next year appointed 
Messrs. Ezekiel Webster and M. P. Payson a special committee 
for that object. In 1832 the Trustees again urged the students, 
in imitation of the "laudable example" at Yale, to dispense with 
a band altogether, and in 1838 the clerical and other gentlemen 
present at Commencement, in a public meeting in the chapel, 
expressed disapproval of the use of bands on these occasions, and 
requested the Trustees to use their influence to have the custom 
immediately cease. The Board has repeatedly in more recent 
years vainly urged reduction of expenditure in this direction. 

The band by no means wholly supplanted the musical society. 
We not only find vocal and sacred music expressly mentioned as 
being a part of the exercises of Commencement day from 18 13 to 
1820, but the special musical performances of the Handel Society, 
after its formation in 1808, in connection with the annual oration, 
rose to a high degree of excellence and prominence. They were 
the lineal progenitors of the later Commencement concert, which 
in turn gave way to a dramatic presentation by the students. 
From 1822 they were generally held on the evening preceding 
Commencement day. The first suggestion of a Commencement 
concert on the modern plan, independent of the society's oration, 
appears in 1827 in the performance of an oratorio by the Handel 
Society on the evening before Commencement. A similar and 
final entertainment was given in 1842. In 1843, in the presence 
of Frank Johnson and Company's negro band from Philadelphia, 
we have the first instance of a concert wholly by talent from 
abroad. 

The custom of a public dinner on Commencement day began 
with the first anniversary. To this " gentlemen of a liberal educa- 
tion or public character" were invited, the most distinguished 
being entertained at the President's table, the others at the 
Commons Hall. In later years all dined together, and the 



@4/6, 








Dolls. 


44.16 
44-50 


Total 


Dols. 


88.66 




£ 


13. 10.0 


5) and wine 


13. 14.6 






3 13 9 



578 History of Dartmouth College. 

hospitality of the College has been exercised sometimes at the 
hotel, sometimes in booths and latterly in the new commons or in 
the gymnasium. The graduating class was first admitted to the 
dinner by vote of 1832, the increased expense being met by an 
addition of eight cents to the quarter bills of every student. 
The amount of good cheer consumed on these festive occasions 
in early years is marvellous to this generation : 
In 1796 the account runs thus: ^ 

For 52 bowls of punch @ 2/6, 2 bottles of brandy 
and 21 bottles of wine @ 3/ 
89 dinners @ 3/ 



In 1797 there were 90 dinners at 3/ 

61 bottles of brandy (6/ @ 
29^ mugs of punch @ 2/6 

Total £30.18.3 

The barrel of liquor dispensed by the Governor to the crowd 
in 1772 has already been mentioned. 

The termination of the exercises by grand social festivities in 
the evening of Commencement day is also a time-honored custom. 
These by ancient habit consisted primarily of a levee at the Pres- 
ident's house, which is mentioned in 1827 as still held according 
to custom, and presumably continued some years longer. 

The attractions of the new and spacious library room in the 
second story of Reed Hall led to a new departure in this respect. 
In 1840, the rooms being plastered but not yet ready for books, 
the students procured refreshments from Boston and held their 
levee there. In 1845, on the application of the senior class, the 
libraries were granted for a levee, which on the following year was 
adopted by the Trustees, and was for many years held under their 
auspices in lieu of the customary reception at the President's. 
A visitor of that year describes the rooms as "very tastefully 
decorated and the tables magnificently spread. We had," she 
wrote," peaches, apricots, grapes, oranges, raisins, figs, nuts of 
all kinds, pickled fish, water melons a foot and a half and two 
feet long, cakes, ice cream, tea and coffee and lemonade. The 
students gave this instead of a ball. Kendall's band played and 
all went off well." ^ In earlier years there was often a ball under 
the control of the graduating class. The first of which we have 

> BUls in files of College Treasurer. 'Letter of Mrs. John K. Lord. 



Commencements. 579 

knowledge was an "elegant and splendid" ball in 181 1. In later 
times these gatherings were frowned upon by the Faculty and, 
being generally held in bad repute, were discontinued for many 
years, but they were revived in 1881 and have become an impor- 
tant function of Commencement week. 

The preaching of a baccalaureate sermon by the President on 
the Sabbath preceding Commencement is an ancient custom, the 
beginning of which we cannot trace. Professor Crosby mentions 
it as observed by President Tyler, ^ and mentions in connection 
with it the singing to the tune of Amesbury, "according to time 
honored usage, of Wesley's old anthem, 'Come let us anew our 
journey pursue.' " This usage, though still prevailing, has been 
now for many years connected with the last exercise in the chapel 
which the graduating class attends before Commencement, and 
which is, therefore, called the "Sing-Out." ^ 

Latin was at first the only foi-eign language employed by the 
speakers, excepting now and then Indian. After a while we find 
a great variety of tongues. In 1785, for example, the exercises 
consisted of twelve parts: i, Latin salutatory; 2, Syllogistic dis- 
pute in Latin; 3, A forensic dispute in English; 4, A "very 
pathetick" English dialogue; 5, A dialogue in Greek; 6, A Hebrew 
oration; 7, An English oration; 8, A forensic dispute in English; 
9, A dialogue in Chaldaick; 10, A dialogue in French ; 1 1 , An Eng- 
lish disputation; 12, (after the conferring of degrees) A valedictory 
oration in English. "A solemn, pertinent and pathetick prayer 
closed the work of the day." 

The next year in the midst of a similar variety we are told that 
"the audience was much amused by a Hebrew dialogue repre- 
senting the controversy between Job and his three friends." 
This was followed by a dialogue in English in which were person- 
ated the ancient philosophers, Plato, Pyrrho, Epicurus and Zeno; 
and another, reaching the dignity of a play, in which appeared 
Andre, Arnold, and Generals Washington, Greene, Gates, Knox, 
and many others. In 1789 there was a dialogue in poetry by 
Samuel S. Wilde and Josiah Dunham. In 1792 the afternoon 
exe-cises were opened with an address by the President to an 

' Crosby, Memorial of College Life, p. 35- 

'Whether the "sing-out" was as early as the time of Professor Crosby is uncertain. The 
records of the Handel Society for 1839 show that the origin of the custom preceded that period, 
but there is no way of assigning an exact meaning to the word "ancient" in the college vocabu- 
lary. The record reads: "On Tuesday, July l6th, the senior members of the Society (accord- 
ing to an ancient custom) sang Amesbury from the 'Village Harmony,' this being the close of 
the college studies of the senior class." The "sing-out," as we know it, was evidently well 
established at that time. 



580 History of Dartmouth College. 

Indian warrior present, who made a spirited answer in his native 
tongue, interpreted by Rev. Samuel Kirkland. This year a 
number of parts were omitted for want of time. 

Prior to 1816 the highest Commencement honor was the saluta- 
tory oration. The first year of the College it was delivered in 
English, and also for a number of years.' It was in English in 
1784, but in Latin in 1785, and thereafter. The first valedictory 
was in Latin, but afterward it seems to have been in English. 
The order of honors in 1797 apparently was, i, Latin salutatory 
oration; 2, Philosophical oration; 3, Valedictory; 4, Chaldee ora- 
tion; 5, Greek oration; 6, Dialogues; 7, Disputations. It is 
understood that the Greek oration was soon after promoted to 
the second rank, between the salutatory and the philosophical 
oration and the fourth place was assigned to four English orations, 
one of which was the valedictory, followed by other orations of a 
second grade, and dialogues and disputations. Poems ranked 
with the disputations. 

The foreign tongues fell into gradual disuse, but the programme 
of 1807 equalled in variety that of 1785, for besides Greek and 
Latin it included orations in Chaldee, Hebrew and French. 
Chaldee did not again appear, and the latest Hebrew exercise that 
has been noted was in 18 10. Till 1824 there were generally two 
orations in Latin and one in Greek, but all of these disappeared 
after 1849. Latin was restored with the salutatory in 1865, but 
was finally abandoned in 1897, when, after the consolidation with 
the Chandler School, the salutatory fell to one who had not 
studied Latin. 

In 1816 the valedictory (pronounced by Webster's nephew, 
C. B. Haddock) became, as it had long been elsewhere, the 
highest honor. Its place was always, until its disuse in 1835, 
after the degrees had been conferred, but since its restoration in 
1865 it has been delivered immediately before the conferring of 
the degrees. The candidates for the master's degree, which was 
given in course to all graduates of three or more years' standing, 
were represented till 1871 by one or two orations delivered at the 
close of the other exercises of Commencement day by graduates 
of the third year before, appointed by the Faculty. Originally 
the orations were in Latin, but this was last used in 1824. 

The order of rank as re-established in 1865, representing 
twenty-four appointments, based solely on scholarship, was, i, 
Valedictory; 2, Salutatory; 3, Philosophical orations; 4, English 

> Autobiography of Amos Kendall, pp. 40. 61, 65. 



Commencements. 581 

orations; 5, Disputations; 6, Dissertations, including poems, if 
any. The division was usually two philosophical orations, eight 
English orations, three disputations each with two speakers, and 
six dissertations, but the numbers in each class varied somewhat 
according to rank, and occasionally twenty-five appointments 
were made. 

Until 1800 it was the habit of the Faculty to assign the Latin 
salutatory and philosophical oration to graduates, and after 
assigning the other parts to allow the class to designate the 
valedictorian out of the first four English orators. The class of 
1800 getting into a wrangle that prevented an election, the 
Faculty made the appointment themselves, and, taught by this 
experience, left the choice no more to the classes.' 

This led the next year to serious disturbances of another sort. 
The class of 1801 was divided into factions headed by Merrill 
and Webster. Merrill was without question the highest scholar 
in the appointed studies and received the salutatory. Webster, 
though by all odds the most prominent person in the class and 
the best orator, was not even second in scholarship, but his friends 
desired for him the valedictory. The opinion of the class, 
however, was not invited and for some reasons not now very 
apparent, though Mr. Merrill in his account of it ascribes it to 
misunderstandings such as are honorable to both Mr. Webster 
and the Faculty, the valedictory was assigned to another, and 
Webster had his choice between an English oration on the fine 
arts, or a poem. He decHned both, and a number of his friends 
on his account refused the parts assigned to them and were 
excused.^ 

Mr. Merrill adds:' "Webster's friends did not claim that he 
was entitled to the Latin oration, but they had marked him for 
their valedictory orator, and considered themselves aggrieved 
by the refusal of the Faculty to entrust them with the appoint- 
ment according to the established usage." 

Mr. Webster himself told Judge Nesmith in after years that at 
a subsequent interview with the Faculty the matter was explained 
and the ill feeling allayed. Certainly he never harbored resent- 
ment. The foolish story so long current that Webster made a 
scene upon the stage by destroying his diploma, or that he did so 

» Samuel Swift in The Dartmouth, 1872, pp. 403-5- 

• They were Bingham, Dutton, Gilbert, Hotchkiss, Loveland and Noyes. See statement by 
Judge Nesmith in The Dartmouth, 1875-1876, p. 21, derived from personal information from 
Loveland, Pettengill and Webster himself. 

> Life of Webster, by G. T. Curtis, pp. 41-42. 



582 History of Dartmouth College. 

afterward in private has no foundation in fact. His classmate, 
Merrill, notwithstanding their rivalry, was an intimate friend 
and remained in Hanover three years after graduation as a teacher 
in Moor's School and a tutor in the College, but he says he never 
heard the story till twenty-five years later; and another. Rev. 
Elijah Smith, declares, "I have no doubt the story is false. I 
stood by his side when he received his degree with a graceful 
bow, and such was my connection with him in our society affairs 
that if he had destroyed it afterwards I should certainly have 
known it." These troubles seem to have cast a shadow over 
several subsequent Commencements. Often the highest parts 
only were accepted. In 1806 the exercises comprised a dialogue 
and eight orations; in 1807 of eleven parts all were orations. In 
1808 eight orations formed the entertainment. In 181 1 one of 
the speakers, thinking himself underrated, refused to prepare 
his part, and another camie on the stage with a slovenly dress, 
and his stockings at his heels, took no notice of the President or 
the Trustees, and spoke his piece so low as to be inaudible. Both 
lost their degrees in consequence.^ 

Of the ancient use of Latin as the official College vernacular, 
given up after 1827, a single relic remained till 1893 in the time- 
honored formula for conferring degrees. The ceremony and the 
formula it may be worth while to describe. 

The President received the candidates by detachments, himself 
sitting and covered. As soon as they were placed he rose, removed 
his hat and turning towards the Trustees thus addressed them: 
Curatores honorandi ac reverendi [whereupon they also rose and he 
proceeded]. Hi iiivenes, coram vohis adstantes, exami7ii publico, 
pro more huius academiae, suhjecti, digni honoribus academicis 
existimati fiiertint. Vobis igitur comprobantibus , illos nunc ad 
gradum petitum admitto. Then resuming his seat and his hat, 
the President thus addressed the candidates: Pro aiictoritate mihi 
commissa, vos ad gradum primum [vel secundum] in artibus admitto. 
Ac dono privilegia omnia, atque honores quae ubique gentium ad 
gradum eundem pertinent. Cuius rei hae litterae patentes testimonio 
sint. The diplomas were then distributed by the marshal, the 
candidates retired, each detachment leaving the church after it 
had received its diplomas, and the whole process was repeated. 
Dr. Belknap tells us that in 1774 the ceremony of the book was 
also used, but this long since disappeared, and in later years the 
habit grew up of omitting the appeal to the Trustees except for 

' Autobiography of Amos Kendall, p. 65. 



Commencements. 583 

the first detachment. Since the transfer of the Commencement 
exercises to Webster Hall the whole class receives its degrees at 
one address, and by a simple but effective evolution marches 
before the Dean to receive its diplomas at his hands. 

The dignity of the ceremony, now antiquated, depended much 
upon the personal carriage of those who conducted it. The old 
time cap and gown, though abandoned by Faculty and students, 
were retained by the President until 1877, and added greatly to 
the harmonious propriety of the scene. Even with the anachron- 
ism, indulged by President Lord, of a shiny silk hat, the ceremony 
was in the highest degree impressive. In earlier times all the 
announcements on Commencement day were made in Latin. 
Among the stock phrases of the occasion which have become obso- 
lete was the reminder to the band: "musice expectatur," trans- 
lated by the second Wheelock to an unlearned and unresponsive 
band master by a sharp order into "play up"; and habitually by 
President Lord by the phrase "music is expected." English 
orations were announced as in lingua vernacula. 

The use of gowns by the speakers, which we suppose to have 
been in early times invariable, found occasional observance as 
late as 1850. They again came into use by the students in 1891 
and were adopted by the Faculty as a whole in 1908 at the first 
Commencement in Webster Hall. 

The litterae patentes, or diplomas, have been always in Latin on 
parchment, signed by all the Trustees present, excepting in 1829 
when they were signed by the President and Secretary.^ The 
phraseology has not been invariable. They have always been 
furnished at the expense of the graduates. They were engrossed 
by the pen as late at least as 1798, after that a plate was procured 
by the students. In 1832 a new one was ordered but the students 
objected to paying for it and preferred the old. The plate now 
in use was bought in 1859 for $50 from the two literary societies. 
The seal was attached of old by a broad blue ribbon. Since 1876 
it has been impressed upon the parchment. 

In 1854 Class day was for the first time celebrated and though 
not observed in 1855 became, thereafter, a standing feature of 
Commencement, to which Tuesday afternoon was devoted till 
1894, when it was changed to Monday. This was one of several 
indications at this period of a general strengthening of class and 
college feeling. It was followed in the same direction by the 
custom, begun by the class of 1855, of exchanging pictures, which 

' Before 1893 the diplomas of the Chandler graduates were in French. 



584 History of Dartmouth College. 

for three years were in the form of lithographs copied from 
daguerreotypes. Photographs were introduced by the class of 
1858. Contemporaneously with Class day came also the custom 
of permanent class organizations to the extent at least of the 
appointment of a secretary to preserve the history of the members, 
and foster communication between them. Many of the secreta- 
ries have prepared and published valuable biographical reports of 
their classes, and in 1905 a permanent organization of the 
secretaries was formed, to meet annually in March in Hanover, 
and having as its special object the preservation in convenient 
and accessible form of the records of the several classes. The 
permanent renewal of the General Alumni Association in the 
same year, 1854, and the organization of a local association in 
Boston in 1856 were a marked evidence of a new growth of the 
same spirit among the graduates. 



Term Bills and Fees. 585 



TERM BILLS AND FEES. 

The charge for tuition at the beginning, in 1770, was 17^ a 
quarter — 15 id a week, and the rent of rooms in the first story 
and middle section of the college building was 45 a quarter, and 
of other rooms 75, payable on the first Wednesday of December, 
March, June and September. In 1777 tuition was fixed at 255 a 
quarter, reduced two years later to 205 a quarter, and dismission 
from college was denounced as penalty for non-payment. In 
1795, after the change of money, the tuition was fixed at $4 a 
quarter, besides a contingent charge of 20^. In 1793 it was 
ordered that each member of the graduating class should pay 
his proportion of the public dinner at Commencement. The 
charge for "Commencement expenses" in 1808 was $4 instead of 
the previous $3. 

In 1774 the Trustees had voted "that each person who shall 
have a degree of Bachelor or Master of Arts conferred on him shall 
pay the President four dollars therefor, and that those who have 
diplomas of the same signed and sealed pay one guinea, vz. four 
dollars for the President and four shillings for the Clerk who seals 
and procures the signing of the diplomas." In 1808 the graduat- 
ing fee as a perquisite of the President was raised to $5. A stu- 
dent on graduation was, therefore, called upon to pay two fees, 
amounting to $9. The college treasurer collected the part that 
came to the College, and the other part was apparently paid 
directly to the officers to whom they went. This continued till 
1819, when the books of the treasurer indicate that the College 
made some concession to the poverty of the students and reduced 
its change to $3 in 1820, to $2 in 182 1, to $1 in 1822 and gave it up 
altogether in 1823. One dollar was again demanded in the next 
year and in 1825 a charge of $6 was made. No votes of the 
Trustees required the change, but the form of the charge sug- 
gests an explanation. Up to 1823 the charge was for "Com- 
mencement expenses," but from 1825 it was for "graduation fee 
and diploma." The College seems to have given up its own fee 
and to have consented to collect the President's for him, together 
with $1 for the diploma. The fee of $5 as the President's per- 
quisite continued till 1863, when on the accession of President 
Smith it was turned into the college treasury in view of the 



586 History of Dartmouth College. 

larger salary paid him. The "graduation fee" rose to $7.50 in 
i860 and to $8 in 1862, at which figure it still stands. 

In 1807 the tuition was raised to $5 a quarter, and since that 
time it has been successively raised as follows: In 18 19 to $7 a 
quarter; in 1825 to $10 a term, three in the year; in 1851 to $12; 
1855 to $14; i860 to $17; 1867 to $20; 1873 to $35, for each of 
two terms; 1876 to $30 a term for each of the three terms, to 
which the calendar had returned; in 1894 to $100 a year, and in 
1909 to $125 a year. 

In the Chandler School the tuition at first was $5 a term, or 
$20 a year, for the junior department and $10 a term, or $30 a 
year for the senior department. After one year the higher rate 
was required of all. On the enlargement of the course to four 
years the tuition was raised to $36 a year for the two lower classes 
and to I42 a year for the two higher classes. In 1867 these sums 
were raised to $42 and $48, but in 1872 the rate for all was put 
at $60 a year, and except for the addition of a library tax in 1888 
this remained the charge for tuition till the union of the School 
with the College. Tuition in the Thayer School was in the 
beginning $60 a year; it was raised to $75 in 1891, to $90 in 1893 
and to $100 in 1896, and since that year has adopted the same 
tuition as the College. 

From the very beginning great difficulty was experienced in 
collecting college dues, and in 1775 it was ordered that good and 
sufficient securities be exacted for the payment of bills, and that 
no student should be admitted to a degree till all his dues had 
been paid. In 1788 still more stringent rules were made in 
respect to the exaction of bonds, and in the same year it was made 
the duty of the steward to collect the quarter bills, but as diffi- 
culty arose it was ordered in September of 1780 that the treasurer 
should collect the bills if the steward refused. In 1790 it was 
required that one dollar should be paid on account at admission. 
In 1808 a penalty of six per cent (besides lawful interest) was 
voted upon all bills remaining unpaid more than two quarters. 

In 1820 it was ordered that students who should fall into arrears 
on their quarter bills for more than a year should be dismissed 
from College, and that any whose college bills should not be 
wholly paid by Monday of Commencement week should not 
receive a degree. It was also ordered that if any officer of College 
should thereafter instruct any student of the College who should 
not have given bonds for his bills according to the law of the Col- 
lege, such officer should be accountable to the Trustees for the stu- 



Term Bills and Fees. 587 

dent's quarter bills and other legal charges accruing. The latter 
order naturally soon became a dead letter, and the dire poverty 
of the students compelled a partial relaxing from the strictness 
of the former order, at least so far as to allow the giving of notes 
for the amounts due the College, but in substance the rule refusing 
a degree to one whose dues to the College are unpaid is still in 
force, and many experiments of greater or less strictness in the col- 
lection of current tuition were tried with indifferent success. 

In 1854 it was ordered that if one did not pay within a week his 
connection with College should thereby cease, but this not prov- 
ing effective the apparently lesser penalty of losing "full and 
regular standing" and being " marked as absent without excuse " 
was tried. When penalty failed, authority was tried and in 1883 
the simple statement that "payment of college bills is required 
in Advance," was left to work upon the imagination of the stu- 
dents in conjuring up what would happen if the requirement were 
not met. As generally nothing happened, there came to be a 
large arrearage on the treasurer's books, but of late years this has 
been much reduced by a penalty of five dollars additional charge 
for delay, and an unqualified refusal to allow a delinquent to 
take examinations (except on excuse by the President), a 
method which has proved fairly efficacious in securing prompt 
payment of college bills. 

As has elsewhere been described, a library tax was among the 
earliest items on the college bills, either as a fixed sum, or varied 
according to the use of the library. From 1855 to 1878, inclusive, 
it was absorbed in the general charge for tuition, then it reap- 
peared till in 1902 it was again taken into an item of $25 for "col- 
lege expenses," which also included the College Club, and this 
item in 1909 was taken into the tuition account. The first labor- 
atory charge appeared in chemistry in 1888,^ and in 1894 was 
extended to the other departments having laboratories. 

In the Medical School the first charge given in the catalogue 
was $50 for the autumnal course of lectures, and this continued 
to be the charge until 1866 when it was raised to $70, with a 
matriculation fee of $5, raised from $2 in 1829 and $3 in 1838, and 
graduating expenses of $20, raised from $18. Beginning with 
1 82 1 the resident physicians gave private instruction in medicine 
from about the middle of March till Commencement, for which 
they asked a fee of $45, but this was reduced to $40 by advance 

' The earlier fees, such as were exacted in 1825, were not laboratory fees but for attendance on 
lectures. 



588 History of Dartmouth College. 

payment. This recitation or "reading" term, as it was some- 
times called, was omitted for three years from 1829, but was then 
again revived by Drs. Mussey and Hale, but after one year was 
conducted by Dr. Mussey alone through 1836, for which his 
fee was $35. In the later recitation term, which was begun in 
1873, the fee was $25, but was raised the next year to $40. The 
fees for the lecture course were raised to $77 in 1870 and the 
graduation fee, which a little later was called an examination fee, 
to $25. In 1891 a division was made between the courses, and 
for the first and second the fee was $77 and for the third $50, but 
on the opening of four courses in 1897 the fee for the first was $100 
and for each of the others $110. Five years later it was made 
$125 for each, reduced to $100 in 1904, but again raised to $125 
in 1909. 

In 1793 the fees to be paid for honorary degrees, one half for 
the benefit of the President, were fixed as follows: A.B. $10; 
A.M. $16; LL.B., M.B. and B.D. $24; LL.D., M.D. and D.D. 
$40. These fees have become obsolete, but in 1887 the fee of $10 
was established to be exacted for the honorary degree of Ph.D. 



(\>llfi-r Lilies. 589 



COI.IICI' LAWS 

VVf havf si-rii how I he loi in ol (.mi\ n iimtiil w.i;. .il lii^.l "p.itn 
nal " in its fliaracttT, and lu»\v as early as 1774 < iovniior VVi'Ut- 
wortli, ill view «)l certain domestic troubles thai j»rew ()iit of that 
state of things, advised the enactment of a del'mile code of laws, 
modelled after tlu" lu'St plans that experience at other institutions 
minht su^m'st. Nothing was accom|>lished, hovvev<r, in this 
dii('( tion, and so lon^ as the founder livetl tlu- paternal |>lan was 
in ^;enelal adheifd to and the rules j>()verning the condiu t of 
the students, though in their jieiieral scope well understood and 
established in many minor points, r«-ni. lined lo .1 k'«-'' decree 
fraKUientury ami subject to the l'lt•^i«!enl*^l diici (imi. These 
had never l)een rej'ulailN' ( odihcd not .is .1 whole appio\td \^\ the 
Board of I'rust. 

As soon .IS th<' new oid«i ol I Iuhk- (■'."• \v<ll luulerway in 1779, 
the existinn lules wer<- brouKhl to^cihei by the "Executive 
Authority," into a bcKly of " Laws," which, as the first established 
code, it will be of interest, though at sonu- tost of spice, to in:;ert 
here in full. 

/ ('I Ihrit Kflifjiin mtil iitotiil\. 

'I'll.il thcv rili.ill .iKcikI (Ml (lie \voir>lii|> ill ( .(xl iiiortiiiiK .iml <-vciiiii(.: iiinl ii|i<iii 
Lonl'si (lay; ami dtlu-r day.t pulilii kly apiuiiiitfd kii (hat |>nr|K)rtf scatiunaldy 
and with revert^iuo and ilfifiuy (ir) th»-y sliall he in the Hall uiui at their 
place:! l>y the time the nitiiwil tjiveii li)r their i Dining toyelher teaseri, at least 
helore the I'lehideiit or the peiMDii who is lu perform the serviie.i enters the 
Mall, ami shall remain Iheie and hehave witii gravity and pr»»priety and nut 
leave their placeb till the I'resident liii..!-. H.u heliors and all Senior Classes 
havegoneout of the Hall. And Koin^ .nil ul ilu- Hall that they have no playing 
or sporting or any noise clamor or loud talking; but shall reyularily and ..idnlv 
depart as soon as the services are all over; and shall always carry ihi n Ii.a . 
when going to meeting. That in eases ol ollente that are in their own n.iiiin- 
private and may he consistently kept so, they an- strictly to observe lli<- iul<i 
of proceeding given by Christ in the 18 Cliapter of Matthew. 

Thai llicy watt h over themselves ami one another in the use of all proper 
and appointed means and endeavors, to prevent a declention in religion, and 
promote their mutual edihcation in Christ Jesus, and l»y a holy and iinblame- 
able conversation commend themselves t») every man's conscience in the sight 

..I y\ni\ 

_■■ Of tluir ,,>ii,lu,l anil hfluivn'r touuiuls the- I'ltsuLiit. 

That th« conduct and behaviour of the Students towards the lh>nourable 
I'resi.lent be in every re;i|>ect with that hlial duty and esteem as the impor- 
l.m. r and di.;nilv ot hii il.ition ffipiufM (vl/ ) iiiu'.)\ ti iuK llii-ii licidh at and 



590 History of Dartmouth College. 

within the distance of four* rods from him; also when they enter his dooryard, 
when the weather dont render it inconvenient and when their hands are not 
necessarily otherwise employed. That they never speak of him, or to him, 
but in a manner savory of deference and respect. That they stand when in his 
presence till they have permission to sit. That they wait for his liberty to 
speak when they would address him on any occasion. That they deliver their 
sentiments with modesty and propriety and deliberately. That they never 
contradict or enter into disputes with him; but propose their doubts grievances 
or arguments by way of decent interrogation. That they wait when they 
return an errand to him for his liberty to withdraw. That they carry their 
hats when they wait on him, and use no indecent gestures in his presence. 

3. Towards the Tutors. 

That they treat the Tutors and Professors with a deference and respect 
becoming their Office and relation to them (viz.) That they uncover their 
heads at and within the distance of three rods from them, when the weather 
dont render it inconvenient, and their hands are not otherwise necessarily 
employed. That they enter not into contro\'ersy or dispute with them but 
purpose what they have to say by way of decent interrogation. That they rise 
when a Tutor enters the room where they are and stand till he is seated with 
them or they have otherwise liberty to sit. That they rise when spoken by 
them and never interrupt them when speaking. That they be not talkative 
clamourous or noisy nor use indecent gestures before them. That they alway 
carry their hats when they visit one of their rooms. That they punctually 
perform their orders (unless contradicted by the President) and always return 
their errand as soon as effected, and not withdraw without liberty. 

4. Towards Bachellors. 

That they show becoming respect to Bachellors of Arts and all Graduates 
such as uncovering their heads in their presence and keeping them so till they 
are bid to cover them; rising when they enter or go out of their rooms, and con- 
duct in all other respects agreeable to the relation they stand in to them. 

5. Towards one another. 

That they behave with respect and kindness towards one another avoiding 
ever>'thing that is against the unity of the spirit or manifesting a want of friend- 
ship or contrary to the Gentleman or Christian. Junior Classqp shall properly 
acknowledge the superiority of their Seniors by giving them the right hand in 
walking or sitting &c. Freshmen when in the College or in the Hall and when 
they speak to seniors shall have their heads uncovered and when in their com- 
pany shall wait to be bidden before they cover them, unless there be such 
reasons to the contrary as have been mentioned. Freshmen shall at times 
hereafter appointed for deversion do the necessary errands for all the senior 
Classes who have themselves served a freshmanship (provided they are not sent 
more than half a mile) and shall faithfully perform and return the same. 

It shall be the duty of the Tutors to inspect and form the manners of the 
three Senior Classes agreeable to the foregoing rules: and also to a decent and 
Genfleman like behaviour toward all men. 

1 This was first written "six" eind changed to "four." 



College Laws. 591 

It shall be the duty of the Senior class to inspect the manners of the Freshmen 
in a decent, comely, manly and Gentleman like behaviour towards men of all 
ranks and conditions; and especially to a due observance of the foregoing and 
other good rules of behaviour toward the Officers and students of this College. 
And for this purpose shall have power to call them together or singly before 
them at such time and place as they shall think proper, in the hours appointed 
for deversion. That the hours of deversion in the winter be as follows (viz.) 
from breakfast till school time, and from dinner till school time and from Supper 
till 7 o'clock in the evening and saterday in the afternoon. In the summer the 
same except at evening the time of deversion shall be from 6 to 9 o'clock, the 
rest shall be accounted as study time and the students shall then attend at 
their [studies] except at such times as public Collegiate exercises requires their 
attendance elsewhere. And it shall be the duty of the Tutors so often as they 
shall judge necessary to inspect the students Rooms to see that the last men- 
tioned rules be duly observed. 

Whereas the practice of manual labor is in itself useful and reputable; and 
may in a special manner only serve the original design of this institution, as the 
instructing the natives that may come here for an education in that necessary 
art may greatly conduce to their civilization and improvement therefore it is 
hereby strongly recommended that the members of this seminary turn their 
diversion into that chanel as far as it may be done with convenience, at least 
that they neither by action or word do anything to discountinance the practice 
of it in others. 

Further more determined that there be nine weeks vacation in a year (viz.) 
from Commencement 5 weeks and from the first monday in May 4 weeks. 

That the students pay twenty shillings quarterly for tuition and four shillings 
pr quarter for study rooms in first story and middle garrets and 6 shillings for 
the rest and that the bills be made up and paid quarterly (viz.) on the first 
Wednesday of September, December, March and June. 

That all Independent SchoUars shall at their entrance into College provide 
good and sufficient sureties for payment of their College expences during their 
abode there. 

That Independent SchoUars who shall be admitted after the usual term shall 
pay the same tuition money for the time elapsed as others of the class into 
which they are admitted, and those who are absent the same as those present. 
And no one who is admitted after the usual time shall have the priviledge of 
sending Freshmen unless he serves himself a forth part of his remaining time 
in College. 

That students who neglect a punctual payment of their quarter bills to the 
satisfaction of the president and Tutors shall be liable to dismission for such 
neglect. 

That those students who occupy rooms out of College pay study rent so long 
as rooms remain unoccupied in College. 

That no scholar be admitted to a degree till he has settled his College bills 
to the satisfaction of the board of trustees then present. That no student 
for the future may ordinarily expect to receive a degree at this College, unless 
he resides here the usual term of continuance from the time of his entrance. 
That a strict regard as possible be paid to merit. That examinations be strict 
and critical; and that the idle, dissipated and vicious may not expect to be 
favoured with the honours of this College. 



592 History of Dartmouth College. 

Some laws to prevent disorder and immoralily. 

That no student of this College be permitted to play at cards, Dice or any 
other unlawful game either in the College or any other place whatever, on 
penalty of a fine not exceeding twenty shillings for each offence at discretion 
of a President or a Tutor and if persisted in they shall be expelled. That no 
student board at a tavern or sit at a tavern unless when on a journey or with 
express leave obtained for it from the President or Tutors or by desire of a 
Parent or Guardian, on penalty of a fine of two shillings Lawful money. And 
any one being convicted of a breach of this law four times within the space of 
six weeks shall be publicly admonished. Nor shall any student of said College 
be at a Tavern after nine o'clock in the evening on penalty of a fine of three 
shillings lawful money. That no student be absent from his study after nine 
o'clock at night without liberty or such occasion as President or Tutors shall 
think sufficient on penalty of one shilling lawful money. 

That no scholar send for or procure any spirituous liquors without a permit 
from the President or a Tutor for which he shall apply in person unless espe- 
cially detained at which time he may send for one by a Freshman by whom he 
shall assign the reason for not comming himself; and the purpose for which he 
desires such permit; and such permit shall specify the time and place to which 
liberty is granted to have it procured. 

That each student that neglects to attend publick prayers in the Hall morn- 
ing and evening; and other public exercises of religious worship without such 
reasons for his neglect as shall be esteemed good and sufficient by the President 
or a Tutor shall be dealt with by them in such a manner as they shall judge 
most suitable to convince him of the evil of such practical contempt of those 
divine ordinances; and if persisted in he shall be admonished publickly till all 
suitable means of reformation appears ineffectual, then he shall be dismissed 
without honor as an unworthy member of this seminary. That if any student 
shall treat with disrespect any instituted worship of God or use endeavours to 
discredit any exercises of social worship public or privit, which are properly 
and regularly appointed or discourage others attending thereon being con- 
victed by the authority of College shall be publickly admonished. All fines 
shall be charged and made up with the quarter bills. 

Regulations respecting Collegiate exercizes, the Library &c. 

Whereas the practice of having the weekly exercizes of the students in 
Oratory immediately after the evening prayers is found by experience to be 
inconvenient 'Tis therefore enacted that henceforth those exercizes shall 
be held weekly on Wednesday to begin when the signal is given for study time 
in afternoon at which time all the students are required to attend for that 
purpose. 

That there be at least two Orations delivered on each quarter day besides 
such other public exercizes as shall be occasionally appointed to be held on 
those days. The orations to be delivered on December quarter day by the 
Senior Class. On March quarter day by the Junior Class. On June quarter 
day by the Sophimore Class. Also that there be an Oration in Latin on the 
Arts and sciences delivered by one of the Junior Class in the afternoon of the 
day in which the Freshman Class shall be examined previous to the spring and 
fall vacations. Also that the Senior Class hold a forensic dispute in English on 



College Laws. 593 

the first Wednesday of every month. That each pay for books taken by him 
out of the Library as follows for the terms annexed viz. 

For a Folio 6<i which may be kept 4 weeks 

Quarto 4<i 3 weeks 

Large Octavo S'^ I 

Small Octavo 2<i 

Any other book i^ 

Pamphlet ^ 



I week 



And if any student shall keep any book longer than the times above mentioned 
he shall pay double that price so often as the term shall be repeated and no 
student shall have more than two books beside Classics at a time except the 
Seniors who may take three (unless upon special occasions and with liberty) 
beside which they shall pay for any special damage any book may sustain while 
in their custody. 

Regulations for the security of the College building from damage. 

That all the students keep the rooms they respectively inhabit secure from 
damage. That if rooms that are unoccupied sustain special damage the cost 
of repairing shall be brought into contengent charges. If a student is known 
to have broke a window or to have done any other particular damage in the 
College or Hall or any other public building, he shall immediately get it 
repaired or be at double the cost of reparation. 

If any student shall play ball or use any other deversion that exposes the 
College or Hall windows within 3 rods of either he shall be fined two shillings 
for the first offence 4s for the 2^ and so on at the discretion of the President 
or Tutors. It is earnestly recommended and injoyned upon the students that 
they observe neatness and cleanliness in their rooms and in their dress and avoid 
every practice in, upon or about the College that may be disagreeable and 
offensive. 'Tis incumbent on every class at least and 'tis recommended that 
every room in College have a copy of these laws and regulations. The students 
also in school are required to pay a strict adherence to them unless inconsistent 
with any rules already given them and obviously unapplicable to their situation 
as members of the School. 

John Wheelock, President. 

In November, 1780, the instructor in Moor's School was given 
the authority of a college tutor, and the students were "recom- 
mended to have their heads uncovered within a rod in his pres- 
ence, unless necessarily prevented." 

At a meeting of the President & Tutors of Dartmouth College, November 
30th 1780. 

Whereas Mores charity School is incorporated with this College, & the 
Master of the same is an officer of the institution & necessarily connected with 
it; and whereas it may tend to promote the useful state & existance of this 
society, that he should be invested with [more] extensive power than has been 
in time passed; therefore pursuant to authority derived from the board of 
trustees; Resolved that the regular instructor of said school be invested & he 
38 



594 History of Dartmouth College. 

is hereby invested with power to advise, reprove, & instruct the manners & 
conduct of the members of this institution, in the College & hall as amply and 
fully as any Tutor may be by charter, or law; it is hereby recommended to the 
students of said College & school to regulate their conduct to him agreeable to 
that relation, & to have their heads uncovered within a rod, in his presence 
unless necessarily prevented. 

Dartmo College 15th July 1782. 

At a meeting of the President & Tutors of D. College. 

The authority of said College having taken into consideration that many 
disadvantages may arise & particular by that a door may be opened to great 
animosities & division by the practice of any student entering a complaint to 
the Seniors against the members of the freshman Class without being explicit 
and particular apertaining the articles of charge or facts complained of there- 
fore be it & it is hereby enacted that no student of this institution shall enter 
a complaint to any senior against any member or members of the Freshman 
class, without particularly expressing the article or articles of charge in said 
complaint & to prevent all disputes for the future between any parties con- 
cerned, be it further enacted that no student of this institution shall for the 
future exhibit a charge to the senior against any member of the freshman class 
without making the allegation with precision & clearness in writing: Given 
under my hand, this 15th day of July A.D. 1782. 

J. Wheelock President, with advice of Tutors. 

In 1785 the Trustees raised a committee to revise the laws, 
which reported that no change was necessary. But the pressure 
of advancing ideas was too strong to be wholly resisted, and in 
1786 and subsequent years amendments were made, and in 1794 
a thorough revision was ordered. Two years elapsed before the 
code was completed by careful revision and comparison with the 
laws of other colleges, and being adopted in 1796 by the Trustees 
— the first ever enacted by that body — became the foundation of 
the system that still exists. The new code was conceived in a 
manly tone, entirely different from the servile and petty spirit 
of the ancient regulations. 

The custom of fagging had died a natural death by common 
consent, the freshmen having developed, here as at other colleges, 
about this time, a preternatural stupidity in the execution of 
orders that in the end made the sending of them on errands as 
annoying to the sender as to them, as was illustrated in the well 
known instance (at another college) of a freshman who, entrusted 
with a dollar with which to buy pipes and tobacco at a distant 
grocery, returned with ninety-nine pipes and one cent's worth 
of tobacco.^ The laws, however, formally recognized the decay 

' See The Dartmouth for 1872, p. 273. in an article on "Freshman Fagging." in which are 
given the rules once in use at Harvard and Yale. 



College Laws. 595 

of the custom by ordering that freshmen should be excused from 
going on errands, if they wished, and should be debarred from 
themselves sending freshmen on errands in their turn. 

Both of these early codes existed only in manuscript. That of 
1796 was read by order of the Trustees in chapel and each class 
was provided with a copy at the expense of the class. It differed 
in form and largely in substance from the code of 1779, being 
concerned less with rules of etiquette than with the essentials of 
college life. There followed from year to year special enactments 
which throw light on the troubles of the period. In 1798 students 
were forbidden to hold public entertainments on pain of fine and 
expulsion, and in 1799 they were on like penalty forbidden to be 
freemasons. In 1807 it was ordered that damages to the build- 
ings of of^cers by unknown students should be paid for by the 
entire body. 

The next revision appears to have been made upon setting out 
upon the new era in 18 19, the code of 1796 having served sub- 
stantially unchanged a full quarter of a century and forming the 
basis of the new. The laws were now for the first time put into 
print, in a pamphlet of twenty pages. From that time to the 
present they have been subjected to repeated revision, and 
reprinted no less than fourteen times, possibly more, between 
1822 and 1 89 1. A copy of the laws, given to each student on 
entering college and containing the certificate of his admission, 
has long been known as the "Freshman Bible." 

The first mention of the professors and tutors as an organized 
body was in 1819 under the style of the "immediate government," 
but this gave way in 1828 to the present term of "faculty." For 
some time this body had little to do with legislation, but grad- 
ually the details of administration passed into its hands. I have 
been unable to find the date of the first printed issue of its "reg- 
ulations," but of late years these have appeared at irregular but 
increasingly frequent intervals, and cover the various branches 
of college administration, such as registration, attendance, 
excuses, scholarship, conduct and penalties. 



596 History of Dartmouth College. 



CATALOGUES. 

The first printed catalogue of Dartmouth College was a record 
of all prior graduates, printed on one side of a large sheet known 
as a "broadside" and issued in 1786. It was followed by another 
broadside in 1789, printed at Newburyport, and then by others 
of the same character at regular intervals of three years, which 
were consequently denominated "Triennials." That of 1795, 
and all later, were in the form of an octavo pamphlet and all 
were in Latin until 1873, inclusive. 

The Latin of this publication was so peculiar as to deserve 
the term given to it by Professor Crosby^ of "triennial Latin." 
He neatly pointed out the absurdities into which it fell in attempt- 
ing to present modern names in ancient forms. 

"It has been a question," said he, "in publishing the Triennial, whether 
Hanover should be Latinized by Hanoveria as in 1795, by Leuphana, as from 
1798 to 1831, or by Hanovera, as more recently; whether Clement Long should 
appear as Clementinus (1828 f) or as Clemens (1843 f); Constant Storrs, as 
plain Constant (1807 f), as Constantinus (1816 f) or as Constans (1849 f); Expe- 
rience Porter, as Experientius (1804 f), as plain Experience (1840, 1843), or 
with the feminine name Experientia (1846 f), a name which manifestly makes 
this worthy man a woman; whether one of our class should wear the name 
of Lyman Lewis Rix (1828-1846), or of Lymanus Lewis Rix (1849-1864), 
or of Lymanus Ludovicus Rix (1867). 

There are two readings in our Triennial for 1867, and the five preceding 
ones, that are quite peculiar. They are "Dies Fayette Ayer," and "Samus 
Gerrish Dearborn." What can be these men's names? one is tempted to ask. 
On investigation he finds that the name of the first is simply "Day Fayette 
Ayer," and wonders that he does not find, upon the same principle of trans- 
lation, " Hope L. Dana," " King S. Hall," " Royal Call," " Ivory W. R. Marsh," 
and "Rejoice Newton" changed into Spes L. Dana, Rex S. Hall, Regalis 
Call, Ehur W. R Marsh and Gaude Newton. The name of the second appears 
in the annual catalogue for 1849-1850 as plain "Samuel G. Dearborn"; so that 
here the stately Triennial has stooped to take up the colloquial Sam and 
dignify it into a Latin appellation by the aid of the suffix — Sam-us." 

The Triennial was at first very rude and meagre. An index 
was first appended in 1831, though in 1814 a catalogue was 
published with all the names in alphabetical order. Dates of 
death were added in 1849, and ages in 1858. Birth dates were 
first given in 19 12. In 1880 after an interval of seven years 
the catalogue was enlarged, and translated into English, and 

» Memorial of the Class of 1837. P- 3i- 



Catalogues. 597 

its period of issue was made five years instead of three, whence 
it was styled the "Quinquennial," but the five years were ex- 
tended to ten before the next issue was made in 1890. After 
that time it was called the "General Catalogue," but the 1900 
issue did not appear till 1901. In 1905 a "Supplement" was 
published containing the names and addresses of the living 
alumni; these as well as their occupations will regularly appear 
in future issues, and also the dates of death of those who have 
died. The issue due in 1910 did not appear till 1912, but then 
in a greatly improved form. In 1867 there was published, by 
the private enterprise of Dr. G. C. Chapman of the class of 1804, 
a catalogue of the academic graduates, with a biographical 
sketch of each, in a book of 520 pages. Beginning with 1874 
an annual obituary record has been printed and distributed at 
Commencement . 

Of annual catalogues none were printed complete prior to 
1802, though lists of individual classes were from time to time 
published at their own expense, beginning, so far as known, with 
one of the freshman class, printed at Windsor, Vt., and dated 
June 15, 1788, being of the class which was. graduated in 1791. 
The publication was induced, very likely, by the fact that this 
class was the largest numerically that the College had seen. It 
then numbered forty; it afterward increased to fifty-three and 
was graduated forty-nine. This earliest catalogue, entitled 
"Catalogue of the Present Members of the Freshman Class at 
Dartmouth University," was printed on one side of a sheet 
eight inches wide, and ten inches long, and contained only the 
names and residences of the members. Fourteen hailed from 
New Hampshire, fifteen from Massachusetts, eight from Con- 
necticut and three from Vermont. 

With w^hat degree of regularity and to what extent these 
partial catalogues were issued during the dozen succeeding years 
it is impossible to say. We have specimens of similar class 
lists published by the "sophimore" class in 1799, and in 1 800, 
the latter on a sheet of double the former size. Catalogues were 
also issued apparently by the graduating class, as they are 
labelled "Catalogue of Graduates at Dartmouth University." 
The first one known was published "August 3rd, 1797," and is on 
a sheet 3 1-8 by 4 3-4 inches. The next one was two years later, 
and was printed in Concord on a sheet 6 by 7 1-4 inches. 

The first full "Catalogue of the Officers and Students at 
Dartmouth University" was issued in October, 1802, at the 



598 History of Dartmouth College. 

expense of the sophomore class, on one side of a sheet 12 inches 
wide and 16 inches high, printed very neatly by Moses Davis 
at Hanover, and containing, besides the college officers, only 
the names and residences of the four academic classes. Cata- 
logues were issued in this form by the sophomore class annually 
until 1819, inclusive, excepting the year 1812 when none was 
printed. The size of the sheet was enlarged after the first issue 
to 14 by 20 inches in 1803, to 16 by 20 in 1809, and to 18 by 20 
in 1 8 13. The classes bore the same designation as at present, 
excepting that from 18 15 to 1827, in 1831, and from 1846 to 
1 85 1, the upper classes were designated "Senior Sophisters" 
and "Junior Sophisters." The rooms of the students were first 
indicated in 18 13. 

Until 181 5, inclusive, the institution was invariably styled 
in the catalogues, "Dartmouth University"; ever since, for 
obvious reasons, the style of "Dartmouth College" has been 
carefully adhered to. In 181 6 there was issued a broadside 
catalogue of Dartmouth University (not yet actually organized), 
containing the same names of officers and students as the cata- 
logue of the College, but with the addition of the Trustees and 
Overseers appointed by the State. This was the only official 
catalogue ever issued by the State University. There was, 
however, one printed for it the next year by college students 
in a spirit of ridicule to show the paucity of its numbers. This 
was on a sheet of 8 b}- 91-2 inches and indicated twelve students 
in all, of which four were marked absent. 

Catalogues of the students in the Medical Department were 
issued in broadside form on a smaller sheet as early as 1806, 
when there was printed a "Catalogue of Medical Students and 
Students of College Who Attended Medical Lectures at Dart- 
mouth College," and probably annually from then on. From 
1811 to 1813 it was called the "Dartmouth Medical Theatre"; 
in 1814 and 1815 it was styled the "Medical Institution of 
Dartmouth University," in 1816 of "Dartmouth College," in 
1817 and 1818, by a sort of compromise, the "Dartmouth Med- 
ical Institution," and in 1819 again the "Medical Institution 
of Dartmouth College." In 1820 the medical and the under- 
graduate catalogues were consolidated and issued in the form 
of an octavo pamphlet of fifteen pages. It was still at the charge 
of the sophomore class, distributed without charge to the other 
classes, and so continued until 1832, when a part of its cost 



Catalogues. 599 

was borne by the College, which in 1836 assumed the entire 
control and expense of its publication.^ 

Prior to 1822 the catalogue contained nothing more than the 
lists of names, etc., as before described. In that year was first 
introduced the calendar of the academic year, and a statement 
of the terms of admission and of the course of academic study, 
together with an announcement respecting the medical lectures, 
and a table of probable annual expenses, aggregating, including 
tuition and all others, $98.65. In 1823 the ex officio members 
of the Board on the part of the State were first mentioned. The 
catalogue first took on the dignity of a cover in 1827. 

There is but little that is important to be noted respecting 
the annual catalogue of later years. Of course it has grown 
with the College, and now appears in a duodecimo pamphlet 
of about 350 pages. It preserved the octavo form till 1897, 
excepting occasional issues in duodecimo, viz.: 1827 to 1830 
inclusive, 1835, and 1838 to 1844 inclusive. On five or six occa- 
sions, owing to dissatisfaction among the students with the form 
and style of the official catalogue, other editions were put forth 
by the students themselves. In 1840 and 1841 there were two 
editions, both being in duodecimo, and in 1844 the official 
edition was in duodecimo while that issued by the students 
was in octavo form. Again in 1849, from some misfortune or 
other, the official catalogue appeared in covers of various strange 
and gaudy colors, and occasioned almost a rebellion, an incident 
of which was the appearance one morning of a package of the 
obnoxious pamphlet flaunting at the point of the spire on Dart- 
mouth Hall. The students themselves put forth a beautiful 
substitute clad in a white, gold printed cover, containing, in 
addition to the matter of the official edition, a statement for 
the first time of the libraries connected with the College, of the 
cabinet and apparatus, and of the beneficiary funds, and a 
somewhat enlarged estimate of expenses. These new features 
were adopted in the official issues of subsequent years, and have 
been since extended with the growth of the College till they 
occupy the bulk of the pamphlet. 

In 1863 there were two editions, one printed at Hanover and 
one at Concord, the former apparently being an issue by the 
students and the latter by the college authorities. In the 
Hanover edition appears the term "Chandler Scientific Depart- 
ment," which was not adopted by the authorities till two years 

' A. Crosby, Memorial, etc., p. 27, note, and accounts of the College treasurer. 



6oo History of Dartmouth College. 

later, and there are various verbal disagreements that indicate 
a lack of knowledge of official plans on the part of the editors of 
the Hanover edition. 

Prior to 1838 in the enumeration of the Faculty no distinction 
was drawn between the Departments. In 1838 the "Medical 
Faculty" and the "Academical Faculty" were for the first time 
printed separately, the students being distinguished as "medical 
students" and "undergraduates," and they continued under 
their respective designations until 1865, when, under a policy 
of expanding the College through the University plan of a more 
perfect union with the Schools, the catalogue grouped the Faculty 
and students of the College in "Departments," which, five in 
number, were, in 1875, designated the "Medical, Academical, 
Scientific, Agricultural, and Engineering." In 1879, conformably 
to a change of policy which aimed at a less intimate union, 
and to keeping the "old College" more distinct from the Schools 
that had clustered about it, the designation was changed so 
that the Academic Department was designated as "Dartmouth 
College," and the Schools as "Associated Institutions." This 
designation continued till the union with the Chandler School 
in 1893, when the title became "The Catalogue of Dartmouth 
College together with the Thayer School of Civil Engineering 
and the Medical College." In the catalogues of the present 
the arrangement of the Departments is in the order of their 
establishment. 



The Museum and Cabinet. 60 1 



THE MUSEUM AND CABINET. 

The museum and cabinet began, so far as we know, with a 
few coins and curiosities obtained by President John Wheelock 
in his European tour in 1783, none of which can now be identified. 
The same is true of most of the articles received in early times 
from other sources. We hear of valuable foreign curiosities 
in addition to an "albatross' head", given by Rev. Jeremy Bel- 
knap in 1 79 1, and by Capt. Perkins.^ In 1796 Elias Hasket 
Derby, of Salem, Mass., gave the College a large number of 
curiosities, among them a stuffed zebra and many rarities from 
Asia and from the northwest coast of Africa.^ In 1799 Heman 
Harris presented curiosities from the South Seas, possibly brought 
home by Captain Cook. 

The museum was kept in a narrow room in the third story of 
Dartmouth Hall over the middle entrance, the college library 
being imm.ediately under it. This room was about twelve feet 
wide and extended from the front of the middle projection about 
forty feet to the center of the building.^ Prior to 1798 the 
museum, as well as the library, were in the custody of Professor 
Woodward. In the early part of that year there was a serious 
fire in Dartmouth Hall, and the contents were hastily removed 
and somewhat injured. The different phases of anxiety exhibited 
by members of the Faculty amused the students so much that 
reminiscences of it were handed down by tradition almost to 
the present day. All, of course, rushed breathless to the scene. 
Professor Smith was calling out to save the library, while Pro- 
fessor Woodward pleaded for the air pump, and the President 
at the same instant shouted to save the zebra. One of the 
students, Ranna Cossit, was allowed $24 for attending to the 
repairs and arrangement of the museum and apparatus after 
this catastrophe. Professor Woodward was at the same time 
excused from further responsibility for it. 

In 1802 President Dwight speaks of seeing here, in the room 
above described,* "a number of natural and artificial curiosities." 

1 President Wheelock wrote to Dr. Belknap May 4, 1791: "We are under a thousand obli- 
gations to you for your attention in procuring the box of curiosities in addition to your last 
gift of the albatross head and the life of Dr. Mather." Massachusetts Historical Society,, 
Coll., sixth series, Vol. IV, p. 496. 

^Worcester Spy, September 7, 1796. 

•Samuel Swift, The Dartmouth, 1872, p. 401, and statement of G. W. Nesmith. 

^Travels in New England and New York, Vol. II, p. 117. 



6o2 History of Dartmouth College. 

Among the latter, we learn from other sources, was a working 
model of a Swiss village in which, on turning a crank, the inhab- 
itants were seen going about their appropriate avocations.- 
All these articles have disappeared or cannot be identified. 
"The zebra," wrote Professor Hubbard in 1889, "is probably 
still browsing in the attic of the medical college, a safe refuge 
from the stormy period of 1816 to 1820." But he long ago left 
for other and unknown pastures. 

Of minerals the specimens were very few and preserved merely 
as curiosities. Little care was taken to protect or increase their 
numbers. The other curiosities, too, were sadly neglected. 
When the wall of the museum was blown open with the cannon 
in 181 1, many were destroyed or carried away. The zebra, 
nevertheless, survived till modern days, and some of the South 
Sea curiosities are still to be seen in the cabinet at Butterfield 
Hall. 

The state of things in this department at other colleges was 
no better than here. The "richest and most expensive" col- 
lection of minerals in America was one of 800 specimens sent 
to Harvard, 1 794-1 796, by Dr. Lettsom of London. In Novem- 
ber, 1802, Professor Silliman, a young lawyer, just appointed 
at Yale, took all the minerals of Yale College cabinet, "in a 
small candle box," to Philadelphia to be named by Dr. Adam Sey- 
bert, who, educated at Leyden, was the only man in this country 
that was able to do it.^ In the line of curiosities to offset our 
zebra Yale boasted a tvvo-headed snake as the most remarkable 
specimen which it had.* 

In connection with the new departure of 1820 the subject of 
mineralogy was added to the department of chemistry in the 
Medical Department, and the incumbent. Professor J. F. Dana, 
made some progress in gathering a collection of specimens, 
most of which he took away with him in 1826. At that time 
by far the best collection of minerals in the place belonged to 
Forrest Shepherd of Boscawen, a member of the class of 1827. 
For his devotion to this subject he was regarded by his fellows 
as a crank, "almost a fool" as he himself expressed it. The 
College had nothing worth mentioning, nor any modern books 
in that department. In fact there had been at best but one 
American work on mineralogy then published, viz., that by 
Professor Cleaveland first issued in 18 16. 

I Statement of Professor O. P. Hubbard. 

» Wansey's Journal of Excursion to the United States of North America, p. 68. 



The Museum and Cabinet. 603 

Professor Hale, succeeding Professor Dana in 1827, came in 
as a member of the academic, as well as the medical Faculty. 
This marked a new departure as regarded instruction to the 
undergraduates in both chemistry and mineralogy. Chemistry 
had been taught in the medical department ever since its origin 
in November, 1797, and the undergraduates had been encouraged 
to attend the lectures for which a small extra fee was charged, 
but it had not been compulsory. 

Professor Hale was an enthusiast in mineralogy and set himself 
to build up a cabinet. He found among the old curiosities 
about forty mineral specimens labelled as "variegated stones." 
A few more had been left by Professor Dana in the laboratory 
at the medical building in two small boxes, the whole making 
perhaps a hundred specimens. These Professor Hale brought 
together in a room at the medical building adjoining the labora- 
tory, fitted up at his own expense, and added to them from time 
to time such as he was able to procure. Among them were 
400 or 500 of his own, previously collected, and 290 given by 
Professor Frederick Hall, then of Middlebury College, in pay- 
ment of a subscription of $200 to the new fund. Seventy were 
contributed by students. Some that had been collected in 
Europe by President Wheeler of the University of Vermont 
were bought and presented to the College, and Rev. Mr. Goodell, 
a missionary in Syria, then in Malta, in consequence of a request 
from Professor Hale, sent a box of minerals and shells. In 1831 
$200 were appropriated to buy a valuable cabinet of minerals 
belonging to the Rev. T. A. Merrill of Middlebury, Vt., and 
also another one said to be for sale at Loudon, N. H., if it were 
found, on examination, to be desirable. In 1833 about a thou- 
sand specimens were bought of Mr. Cook of Fryeburg, Me., 
partly by the College, and partly by subscription. The same 
year $35 were paid for a "beryl stone." 

Being entrusted with a joint superintendence of the construc- 
tion of the new buildings in 1828 Professor Hale prepared plans 
which would have afforded spacious and creditable accommoda- 
tion for the cabinet. One plan would have given it a room 38 
feet square occupying the entire front of the lower floor in 
Thornton Hall, and another devoted to this object the whole 
width of the south end of Dartmouth Hall on the ground floor. 
Neither of these plans was accomplished and the best that could 
be got for this use was a small room in Dartmouth Hall. Here 
in 1829 Professor Hale arranged in orderly shape the specimens 



6o4 History of Dartmouth College. 

he had brought together, numbering in all about 2,300, ail 
fully labelled and catalogued, mostly by his own hand. These 
the room in Dartmouth Hall was ample to accommodate. 

But in 1838 Professor Frederick Hall, then of Washington, 
D. C, gave money to endow a professorship of mineralogy, 
and at the same time about 5,000 specimens, comprising the 
half of his collection. Professor O. P. Hubbard, who had suc- 
ceeded Professor Hale in 1836, with the same enthusiasm for 
this subject, went to Washington and with Professor Hall's 
assistance packed and shipped the specimens in October, 1838, 
but the cabinet room in Dartmouth Hall was far too small to 
receive them, and they lay in the boxes until the completion of 
Reed Hall, then in prospect. 

Here the cabinet received its due recognition in a large well- 
lighted front room on the lower floor, extending more than half 
the length of the building. To this the old collection was 
transferred in the autumn of 1840, and during the following 
summer Professor Hall's specimens were opened and arranged 
by Professor Hubbard's brother. Dr. S. G. Hubbard of the class 
of 1843, in new cases built on the plan of those then just 
completed for a similar use at Yale College. The specimens, 
beginning at the northeast corner of the room, were arranged 
by Professor Hall's direction in the same order as observed in 
his own cabinet in Washington. The cabinet as thus displayed 
presented a very handsome appearance and was much admired. 
Professor Hall came himself to see it at Commencement of the 
same year and expressed his entire satisfaction. In 1844 he 
added the balance of his collection, largely duplicates. By the 
terms of the gift all the specimens derived from Professor Hall 
are to be forever kept in distinct cases plainly labelled as the 
"Hall Cabinet." 

In 1844 Dr. William Prescott of Lynn, Mass., gave 400 speci- 
mens of shells valued at $100, comprising 200 peculiar to New 
England, 60 of the middle and southern states, and 100 from 
abroad. Large and valuable additions were made by Professor 
Hubbard during his long service in the department. 

In 1857 six sculptured slabs were obtained from the excava- 
tions at Nineveh, through the influence of Rev. Austin H. 
Wright of the class of 1830, missionary since 1840 at Oroomiah, 
Persia, and in compliance with a request made to Mr. Wright 
by Professor Hubbard five years before. These sculptures are 
of the best style, on gypsum (the underlying rock of the Tigris 



The Museum and Cabinet. 605 

valley), and second only to the collection of twelve sent out 
by Henry Stevens of London to Boston and bought by Robert 
Lenox of New York for $3,000 and presented to the New York 
Historical Society. 

The circumstances attending the acquisition of these rare 
and valuable stones are in themselves of much interest. In 
1852 Professor Hubbard, stimulated by the recent distribution 
elsewhere of some of the products of the Nineveh excavations, 
then going on under the direction of Sir Henry Rawlinson, 
British Resident at Bagdad, wrote to Mr. Wright, a friend of 
twenty years' standing, asking if he could not obtain some of 
the same for our cabinet. Mr. Wright enjoyed the intimate 
friendship of Sir Henry, who, on his request, promptly ordered 
the six best slabs at Nineveh to be reserved for Dartmouth 
College. Mr. Wright's reply reached Hanover in the early 
summer of 1854. The gift of the stones was subject only to 
the condition of paying the expense of packing and transporta- 
tion, and this, in order to avoid delay, was personally guaranteed 
by Professors Hubbard and Young and Mr. Blaisdell, and as- 
sumed by the Trustees when next they met. The large slabs 
were sawn into sections, and packed under the supervision of 
the American missionaries at Mosul. 

The sections were first wrapped in half an inch of woolen felt, 
then boxed, and bound up with another covering of felt, and thus 
secured were transported on camels' backs 500 miles to Isk- 
anderoom on the Mediterranean, with instructions that they 
should be sent by steamer to Beirut so as to come by the annual 
October wool vessel to Boston. Being shipped wrongly by sailing 
vessel they arrived at Beirtit too late for the fall sailing and lay 
under the custom house shed an entire year, arriving at last at 
Hanover in January, 1857. The next June they were unpacked 
and set up in Reed Hall by Mr. David Parsons of Amherst 
who had done similar work there; afterward they were placed in 
Butterfield Hall. The entire expense of obtaining the stones 
was about $600. 

In 1 87 1 the museum and cabinet were removed to Culver 
Hall, where they remained twenty-five years till the completion 
of Butterfield Hall, when they were transferred to that building. 
During that time the museum was enriched by a model of 
Jerusalem and a fine collection of stuffed birds prepared and 
given by Rev. Henry Fairbanks, a Trustee of the College. 
The cabinet, which was under the charge of Professor C. H. 



6o6 History of Dartmouth College. 

Hitchcock from 1869 to 1908, received great additions from his 
geological surveys of New Hampshire and Vermont, and from 
his activity in other places. Under his direction there was 
constructed a large relief-model, on a scale of one mile to the 
inch, of New Hampshire and Vermont, to show the areal geology 
of the two states. He also prepared colored diagrammatic cross- 
sections, on the same scale as the model, to show the under- 
ground structure of northern New England, and these are 
illustrated by about 3,500 specimens of rocks which he col- 
lected from all parts of New Hamsphire and Vermont during 
the geological surveys of these states, and which he supplemented 
at other times. He also made a large collection illustrating the 
geology of the Hawaiian Islands. 

Besides many casts representing extinct animals there were 
also secured by him large collections illustrating dynamic geol- 
ogy, together with fossil foot marks of extinct reptiles from the 
Connecticut valley, and geological models of various sections 
of the country. Specimens illustrative of economic geology 
were secured, and for a mineralogical laboratory a systematic 
collection of rocks of all kinds was made, and supplemented by 
the gift of the Clinton H. Moore collection of ores and minerals 
from the Rocky Mountains. Under his successor the cabinet 
has been enriched by a large scale map showing the topography 
and geology of the district within five miles of the College and 
accompanied by rock specimens from the district, and by maps, 
photographs and specimens illustrating the glaciation of the 
Presidential Range of the White Mountains. 



The Philosophical Apparatus. 607 



THE PHILOSOPHICAL APPARATUS. 

The first encouragement for endowment in this department 
came from Dr. John PhilUps when a visitor at Commencement 
in 1772, by a donation of £175, which, however, failed of its 
immediate object from circumstances heretofore related. 

In 1774 Samuel Holland of Canada, Royal Surveyor General 
of the northern district of the seacoast of North America, who 
sent his son to the College for a year, gave a handsome bronze 
horizontal sun dial which is still preserved in good condition. 
Dr. Belknap the same year mentions it as set up on a post in 
the President's yard. 

In 1783 a Hadley's quadrant was given by Col. John Hurd. 
In 1784 President Wheelock announced to the Board that a 
set of apparatus had been promised by Dr. William Rose of 
Chiswick, England, in conjunction with Paul Wentworth of 
Hammersmith. The President's brother, Eleazar, was sent 
over to attend to procuring and shipping it, and it arrived in 
1785. The donation comprised among other things a set of 
mechanical powers and a set of globes, celestial and terrestrial, 
a folio atlas in two volumes, and twelve sets of maps of New 
Hampshire, besides some duplicates designed to be sold for the 
benefit of the College. The globes were in 1788 loaned to New 
Ipswich Academy (then in close relation to the College) on 
the responsibility of Professor John Hubbard, the preceptor. 

The collection being at this time meagre, it found by vote of 
the Board in 1790 a place of deposit, together with the museum, 
in the narrow room in the middle front of Dartmouth Hall, 
upper floor, the whole being in charge of Professor Woodward. 
In 1802 a front room on the lower floor was fitted up for the 
apparatus and the portraits, for which another room on the same 
floor appears to have been substituted later, and to have been 
used for the philosophical department until 1828. Then, it 
being necessary to incorporate this room into the chapel, the 
second story front room was taken from the Social Friends and 
fitted up for the apparatus and for a philosophical lecture room, 
with the museum and cabinet adjoining on the east. 

After the death of Professor Woodward the philosophical 
department rather declined. His successor being much devoted 
to music gave less attention to the care of the apparatus than 



6o8 History of Dartmouth College. 

could have been desired. Professor Adams coming to the office 
on the death of Professor Hubbard in 1810 found the apparatus 
greatly out of repair and of little value. It was much scattered 
about and some of it was lost. An astronomical clock, presented 
to the College by William Thurston of Boston in 1803, was found, 
after search, broken up and laid away in the attic. We have 
no record of any other additions made during this period of 
depression.^ Between 1812 and 1819 nearly $1,000 was expended 
for new apparatus. Prices were very high, and the articles 
often of inferior quality. This, with the fluctuation of possession 
during the contest with the University, led to an early decay. 
In 1 8 18 a small telescope and a microscope were given to the 
College by Mr. Thurston (the same who had formerly given the 
clock), with a reservation of a right to recall them at pleasure 
in case the College should be extinguished. 

For the next fifteen years this department had no addition 
worth mentioning, so far as we know. In 1833 when Professor 
Adams was succeeded by his son-in-law, Professor Ira Young, 
who had been already two years tutor, the defective state of 
the apparatus was so impressed upon the Board that 1 1,500 
were appropriated for the purchase of new appliances. But 
the poverty of the College was such that Professor Young confined 
his purchases to the most necessary articles, of American make, 
in the departments of electricity, electro-magnetism and pneu- 
matics, and in the course of twelve years expended but $1,200 
all told. In the autumn of 1840 the apparatus was removed 
to a small apartment in the southwest corner of Reed Hall 
connected with a fine new philosophical lecture room. The 
cases there provided were more than ample to contain the whole 
of it. 

In 1846, soon after the endowment of the Appleton fund 
and in connection with a general movement to bring the College 
abreast of the times, a committee of the Faculty, consisting of 
Professors Young and Haddock, at the request of the Trustees, 
reported, among other things, upon the state of the apparatus, 
which was found to be of comparatively little worth. It was 
not possible, however, to make any advance till 1852 when the 
gift of $7,000 by Dr. Shattuck enabled the Trustees to replen- 

i Professor C. A. Young in a letter, dated February 26, 1889, writes: "I have always under- 
stood from my Father that a considerable quantity of the old apparatus came from the sale 
(or gift) of Dr. Prince of Salem, who I think was a friend of Priestley's. The cylinder electrical 
machine, and the large Franklin 36 jar battery of Leyden jars were always mentioned as having 
belonged to the Prince collection." 



The Philosophical Apparatus. 609 

ish the physical apparatus and to build and equip an observatory, 
as has been already told. The most important purchases of 
instruments made by Professor Young in Europe were described 
in his report as, 

A two and one half feet meridian circle with a five feet telescope — cost about 
J1400; a comet seeker of four inch aperture — cost about ?I75; a pocket 
chronometer, second hand — cost about ?I35; Newman's standard barometer 
— cost Jioo; Newman's mountain barometer — cost ^35; large armillary sphere 
and various articles of geodetical apparatus, including a set of maps for the 
Chandler School, costing about ?I50. Apparatus for acoustics, about ?i7o; 
optical apparatus including solar microscope and polarizing apparatus very 
complete — about ?330. 

In 1862 the old philosophical apparatus belonging to the 
College was inventoried and appraised, and turned over to the 
Appleton fund. It was then valued at $2,350. This was 
increased about $800 by purchases up to 1866, and between 
1868 and 1874 there were expended upon philosophical appa- 
ratus and new astronomical instruments upwards of $10,000, 
about half of which was derived from subscriptions procured 
by Professor C. A. Young. Among the instruments covered 
by this expenditure was a new and much more powerful telescope 
for the observatory mounted in 1871, The old one, made by 
Merz in Munich, had an aperture of 6 4-10 inches and a focal 
length of 8 feet. The new one, made by Alvan Clark and 
Sons of Cambridge, Mass., was of 12 feet focal length and 9 4-10 
inches aperture; with it was arranged a spectroscope of the 
highest power and best construction. 

Great additions were also made to the apparatus in other 
branches of the philosophical department, as distinguished from 
astronomy, especially in the direction of electricity. The begin- 
ning of a physical laboratory was made in 1882, and, more room 
being needed, the whole of the first story of Reed Hall was given 
to the department of physics after the removal of the library 
in 1885. 

From that time no extensive additions were made to the physi- 
cal apparatus till the opening of the Wilder laboratory in 1899. 
The proper equipment of that building called for a great enlarge- 
ment of the existing apparatus and in the next three years 
about $7,000 were spent for that purpose, and in each subsequent 
year the expenditure for renovation and additions has ranged 
from $700 to $1,600. 

During the twenty years following the departure of Professor 



6io History of Dartmouth College. 

C. A. Young few changes or additions were made in the depart- 
ment of astronomy, but on the opening of Wilder Hall in 1899 
a recitation and a library room within it were set apart for 
astronomy, and within the next few years about $700 from the 
income of the fund of $10,000 given to the department by Mr. 
Wilder were spent in supplementing the astronomical library. 
In 1904, the department being in charge of Mr. John M. Poor, 
then instructor but later assistant professor, the equipment of 
the observatory was increased by the addition of a transit in- 
strument and zenith telescope, made by G. N. Saegmuller of 
Washington, D. C, under the direction of Professor Young, 
at an expense of $1,150. 

Four years later, from the accumulated income of the fund, 
and from a gift of $2,000 by Mr. H. A. Wilder, the brother of 
the donor of the laboratory, the equatorial telescope was fitted 
for photographic work by the addition of a flint glass disk, 
known as a "corrector," made by C. A, R. Lundin of the Alvan 
Clark and Sons corporation, giving a photographic instrument 
of ten and a half feet focal length. The telescope was remounted 
and furnished with a new and heavy clock work, driven by 
an electric motor instead of gravity. This change necessitated 
the reconstruction of the supporting pier, and the lowering of 
the floor of the telescope room about two feet, the expense of 
the whole being about $4,000. The observatory had previously 
been made more serviceable by connection in 1905 with the 
water, heating and lighting systems of the College. 



The College Bell. 6ll 



THE COLLEGE BELL. 



During the life of the first President the wilderness knew not 
the sound of a bell, the little one of 80 pounds net, sent to the 
school at Lebanon by Whitefield, having been (it will be remem- 
bered) broken. Wheelock made ineffectual efforts to obtain 
the gift of a bell for the College from England, but during his 
life the call to prayer and other duties was sounded from a horn, 
and from a conch shell, similar to that which fifty years ago 
was cherished as an heirloom among the students, handed down 
in secret from class to class, perhaps the same, who knows? 

A bell was at length obtained, whence we know not, by solici- 
tation of the second President, in the autumn of 1780 or early 
in 1 78 1, for one Silsby was paid £2 25. od. for ringing it from 
May 15, 1 78 1, until Commencement in August, while in the 
preceding September Phillips had been under pay for blowing 
the horn. This bell undoubtedly was very small, probably 
less than a hundred pounds, if we may judge anything by the 
price it brought when broken. It was mounted, as we under- 
stand, in the belfry at the eastern end of the famous old " College 
Hall" that stood by the well on the Green, and in 1790 we find 
it broken, by what means we are not informed, but we may 
imagine that the damage was somehow connected with the 
violent destruction of the ruinous old hall about this time. At 
all events from April, 1790, the college exercises were timed to 
the tap of the drum (we find payments for services of a drum 
and for damage to the drum), and the Trustees and President 
were earnestly seeking a new bell, which they resolved should this 
time be of 300 pounds weight. After trying in vain to purchase 
one at the eastern ports, the President, on the 8th of August, 
1790, despatched senior Eaton, afterward famous as General 
William Eaton, the hero of Tripoli, to procure one to be cast 
at the foundry of Messrs. Doolittle and Goodyear in Hartford, 
Conn., and have it, if possible, before Commencement. Eaton's 
energy accomplished the task. He gave his time for the journey, 
and his note for the purchase money, and Colonel Wheelock, 
the President's brother, furnished a carriage to convey the bell 
from Hartford. It weighed 282 pounds, and cost here £33 
185. i-2d. It was hung in the new belfry on Dartmouth Hall 
in due season for Commencement. The College paid, August 



6l2 History of Dartmouth College. 

24, for two quarts of rum for the laborers engaged in raising it. 
The old bell was taken in part payment at £4 2s. od. ^ 

This bell barely survived the short-lived University, by which 
it was appropriated with the other college property, and in 
October, 1819, we find it broken. It was in that month exchanged 
for a new one of 299 pounds weight, costing fifty cents a pound, 
from J. W. Revere of Boston; and this again, though so far as 
we know still sound, was exchanged for a still larger one of 512 
pounds in February, 1821. While the exchange was in process 
recourse was once more had to the horn as a signal for college 
exercises. In 1829, connected with the radical changes in Dart- 
mouth Hall, there was a further change through a subscription 
raised by Professor Adams by which was acquired a fine-toned 
bell of 726 pounds that lived in the memory of more than forty 
classes. That, too, in turn was broken in 1867, and Professor 
Brown was sent to secure a new and more powerful one from 
the foundry of E. A. and G. R. Meneely of Troy, N. Y. This 
weighed 1,222 pounds, and at forty-six cents a pound cost 
$562.12. It was, as usual, warranted for one year, and, break- 
ing two or three days before the expiration of that period, was 
replaced by the founders in July, 1868, with one heavier by a 
single pound than its predecessor, and like that, with happy 
fitness, encircled by the College motto, cast on its rim. Vox 
clamantis in deserto. 

The life of this bell was barely seventeen years, as it broke 
early in 1885, when it was replaced by one from the same foundry, 
slightly heavier, (1,237 pounds), at a cost of $330, which was 
reduced by the value of the old bell, taken in exchange, to 
$161.31. This bell, the last to hang upon the old hall, was 
melted on the burning of the building in 1904. Just before 
that happened the College received the present of a peal of 
three bells from William E. Barrett of the class of 1880, a memo- 
rial to his friend, Chalmers W. Stevens, a graduate of the class 
of 1877, and of the Thayer School in 1880, who had gone as 
an astronomer to the observatory at Cordoba in Buenos Ayres, 
South America, where he was killed by lightning in 1884. The 
bells, which weighed 800, 1,320, and 2,530 pounds respectively, 
were hung in the tower of Rollins chapel, and were first rung 
on the morning of February 13, 1904, for chapel service, at 
which Mr. Barrett's letter presenting the bells to the College 
was read, and an account of Mr. Stevens by Professor Fletcher 

^''Lawful money," $i.3i\ to the £. 



The College Bell. 613 

and a short address on the sentiment connected with the bells 
by Professor C. F. Richardson were given. 

After the burning of Dartmouth Hall five days later the 
students were called together by the middle bell of the peal, 
which was also used for general college purposes, except for 
morning prayers and Sunday vespers, when the peal was rung. 
This continued till the completion of the new Dartmouth Hall, 
when its new bell was brought into service. That, like the peal, 
came from the foundry of Meneely & Co., and was the gift of 
Joshua W. Peirce of the class of 1905. Its weight is 1,854 
pounds and it has a tone of great sweetness. It was placed in 
position September 27, 1905, and since the opening of the build- 
ing in the following February has been used for all college pur- 
poses except the call to chapel. 



6l4 History of Dartmouth College. 



MAILS, AND MEANS AND ROUTES OF TRAVEL. 

It was long after the opening of this country before there was 
any regular conveyance for letters or for travelers. Merchandise 
came in boats by the river or in carts and sleds up the "great 
road" of 1762 which skirted it, but which was hardly more 
than a cleared track in the woods and inconceivably rough. 
The usual mode of land travel was on horseback. Transporta- 
tion on the river seems to have been made something of a busi- 
ness. In November, 1773, for example, Benjamin Wright and 
Sons were paid by Wheelock for bringing sundry articles of 
merchandise to the College landing by boat, from Bellows Falls. 
The freight for three barrels of salt was £1, 15., od} 

Letters came only by the hand of casual travellers or, if of 
importance, by special messenger from Hartford, Conn. In 
February, 1773, Dr. Pomeroy wrote to Wheelock from Hebron, 
Conn., that he had for him a letter from Europe waiting three 
months without finding any chance to send it to Hanover. In 
August of the same year Wheelock writes that for himself, 
under his infirmities, to reach Boston at the best season, and on 
the best of horses, would consume at least six days; and that 
there was no post road in that direction, nor any means to send 
a letter excepting by some chance hand by way of the nearest 
post office in Connecticut, 140 miles distant. A special messen- 
ger cost three shillings a day and expenses, and a letter sent to 
Wheelock in June, 1772, from Hartford, Conn., in this manner 
cost £1, 45. for carriage. 

What travel there was lay up and down the river. Over the 
heights to the Merrimac valley, thirty miles or more, was an 
Indian trail, and after a time a blazed bridle path, but exceedingly 
rough and impracticable and little improved by the first so-called 
roads. As late as January, 1784, Professor Smith, having occa- 
sion to take to himself a wife in Boston, brought his bride over 
this route on horseback and she was wont to boast, in after 
years, that she made the trip five times in that manner, before 
a wheel had passed. ^ There was of course a path via Walpole, 
Keene and Amherst, but that was almost as bad. 

Governor Wentworth and his party, coming to the first Com- 
mencement in 1 771, came by way of Plymouth and Haverhill. 

' BilU In College files. ' Haddock's Montpelier Address, p. 7. 



Mails and Routes of Travel. 615 

The next year the new road was opened in a fashion to his seat 
in Wolfeboro, and he tried that, on horseback of course. In 
1774 Dr. Belknap came from Dover by the old and longer 
route, which was no doubt preferable to the new road over 
Moose Mountain, and returned by way of Keene. 

Regular though infrequent communication with Portsmouth 
was established on the route through Haverhill quite early, by 
a postrider, Lieut. Nathaniel Porter. Mention is found of 
letters and packages and money passing by his hand between 
Wheelock and the Governor in December, 1772, and in January 
and October, 1773. This was evidently a private enterprise. 
The New Hampshire Gazette (Portsmouth) of February 25, 1774, 
contains the following announcement: 

Mr. Porter the post, or news carrier, is now in town and this day, precisely 
at twelve o'clock he starts from the printing office for Dartmouth College, 
situate on the delightful Connecticut river, and that flourishing part of this 
province called Coos. This route he performs every three weeks in all sorts 
of weather. Those gentlemen in Portsmouth who have sons at the afore- 
said College are desired to send their letters &c. by twelve o'clock to the 
printing office. 

In September, 1775, Colonel Morey writes^ to the Committee 
of Safety at Exeter urging them to send commissions by "Mr. 
Porter the post" who could as he comes around bring them to 
all the four regiments on the Connecticut River. His route was, 
therefore, a circuit up the headwaters of the Merrimac to Haver- 
hill, and down the Connecticut to Walpole, or vice versa. In 
March, 1775, Wheelock mentioned a regular post once a fort- 
night from here to Northfield. 

There was at that time one post route maintained by the 
provincial government between Boston and Portsmouth and the 
eastward, and a Postmaster General was appointed as long 
ago as 1726, and the same route was afterward supported by 
the Continental authority. In December, 1778, the Continental 
postmaster, Ebenezer Hazard of Philadelphia, visiting Ports- 
mouth, was solicited to extend this service to Exeter. He said 
that he was not yet able to do so, but promised that if offices 
should be established by the State he would take them into the 
general system as soon as he could. The suggestion seems not 
to have been immediately adopted, but in 1781^ propositions 
were made by Samuel Robinson and others, and on June 27, 
1 78 1, it was ordered by the assembly that a suitable person be 

1 State Papers, VII, p. 6n. » State files. 



6l6 History oj Dartmouth College. 

employed by the Committee of Safety to ride from Portsmouth 
to Haverhill by way of Concord and Plymouth, and thence 
down the river by way of Charlestown and Keene to Portsmouth 
again. In execution of this order John Balch of Keene was 
appointed July 21, 1781, according to his proposal, to ride a 
post for three months, setting out from Portsmouth on every 
alternate Saturday morning and carrying all public mail free 
of charge, for which he was to be paid seventy hard dollars 
or paper money equivalent.^ He continued in this service at 
least two years, and received the first year £120, the second 
year £100.^ 

A resolution passed November 9, 1785,^ ordered a rider from 
Portsmouth by Exeter, Nottingham, Concord and Plymouth 
to Haverhill, thence down the river by Charlestown and Keene 
to Amherst, Exeter and home to Portsmouth, and reversing the 
route every alternate trip. By this proving unsatisfactory a 
committee was appointed February 13, 1786, to suggest alter- 
ations,* and by a resolve dated March 3, 1786, four routes were 
established, and the President was authorized to appoint a Post- 
master General, employ riders and order further routes if neces- 
sary.^ The first route of the four ran from Portsmouth to 
Haverhill, Orford and Hanover and back through Boscawen, 
Canterbury, Epsom and Newmarket to Portsmouth. The 
President appointed Jeremiah Libby of Portsmouth Postmaster 
General, who was also Continental Postmaster at that town. 
Libby before accepting referred the case to Hazard to learn if 
the new office would be thought compatible with the old. Hazard 
in reply, March 22, 1786, objected to the resolution in its broad 
scope,^ as conflicting with the rights of the Continental Congress, 
and Libby accordingly declined the office. But he made tem- 
porary provision for supplying the route by employing Samuel 
Bean to ride to Amherst and Robert Means thence to Charles- 
town and Cornish, till the next June.' 

On the 17 th of that month the routes were changed so that 
one rider should leave Portsmouth every second Monday, going 
through Exeter, Nottingham, Concord and Plymouth to Haver- 
hill and thence down the river to Charlestown, and back through 
Keene, Amherst, Merrimac, Londonderry, Chester and Exeter. 
The previous resolutions to which Hazard had objected were 

> Town Papers, XII, p. 319. » Ibid, p. 543. 

» Ibid, VIII, p. 944. • Ibid, XVIII. p. 76s. 

» State Papers, XX, p. 449- ' Ibid., p. 766. 
Ubid., XX. p. 461. 



Mails and Routes of Travel. 617 

repealed, and the provision for the support of the postriders 
was postponed to the next session. But better thoughts pre- 
vailed and on June 27 an order was passed to agree with a post- 
rider on the route above described.^ In July, 1786, Samuel 
Dearborn was appointed by Libby to ride every Monday on 
the route to Wolfeboro and the rates of postage were fixed for 
single letters (one piece of paper) at eight pence for distances 
over forty miles, and six pence for shorter distances. Against 
this action Hazard again protested. On January 6, 1787 
Samuel Bean was appointed a postrider for one year, to ride 
from Portsmouth to Chester, Londonderry, Amherst and Con- 
cord and to return by the way "he may chuse," and be entitled 
to all the perquisites he may receive. He was paid £10 for carry- 
ing State papers the preceding year.^ 

The river service seems to have been still neglected. In 
September, 1787, on petition of Simeon Olcott of Charlestown, 
and others, asking for a postoffice at Keene, and a postrider to 
travel "the route formerly pointed out by the legislature," 
a committee reported to the assembly in favor of a rider from 
Concord through Keene, Walpole and Charlestown to Hanover, 
and thence back to Concord by way of Boscawen, with post- 
offices to be established in the several towns. The rider was 
to give bond, and £60 was set apart for the expense of mainte- 
nance. 

This indication of a route by Boscawen, first made in 1786- 
1787, was connected with the opening of a road from that town 
to Dartmouth College under authority of the State. It was 
first ordered by an act of legislature November 11, 1784, to 
be made by the towns. This proving ineffectual a second act 
was passed on February 13, 1786,' and the road was laid by a 
committee appointed by the State. But the work still hanging 
fire, it was further ordered, January 6, 1787, that whereas the 
former provision "is found insufficient for the purpose intended, 
and said highway to this time in most of the towns through which 
it is laid is wholly neglected notwithstanding," the State Com- 
mittee, after due notice to any delinquent town, proceed to 
construct its part of the road and levy a distress for the cost of it. 

Hanover disliked the location and petitioned in March, 1786, 
and in May, 1787, for alterations "to be solicited of the General 
Court by Jonathan Freeman." But it was voted in case it 

'State Papers, XX, p. 644. 'Ibid., XX, pp. 157, 461. 

* Ibid., XX, p. 777; H. J. January 6, 1787. 



6l8 History of Dartmouth College. 

could not be obtained to assess a tax of £15 to be laid out in 
labor at 45. per day in clearing the road, under three surveyors 
then elected.^ The following October it was voted to release 
the surveyors, collect the tax in money and let the work out 
"by the great," provided the tax payers did not work it out 
by the 25th instant. 

The road was at length ostensibly built, but in the rudest 
and most perfunctory manner. It passed from the College 
eastward along Mink brook to the Mill neighborhood, now 
Etna, and over Hayes hill substantially by the course of the 
existing ancient roads to the Rudsboro valley and thence north- 
erly of the old County Road, across the south end of Moose 
mountain to North Enfield and down the east side of the pond 
to Canaan. 

There was an earlier road south of the Boscawen road, also 
spoken of as a "Country" or "State" road, or the "road to 
Exeter," which passed over the southern side of Mount Tug 
to East Lebanon and over the hills west of the pond. We have 
been unable to find any records of its construction. 

In the meantime the people of the New Hampshire Grants 
had taken in this, as in other matters, an independent line of 
action. Though there exists at present no certain memorial 
of it, it is probable that the leaders on the river during their 
independent organization maintained some stated means of 
communication among themselves. The first that appears, 
however, is in September, 1783, when Hough and Spooner 
setting up their newspaper, the Vermont Journal, at Windsor, 
one Calvin Bennett of Lebanon, undertook to ride post with 
it weekly on Thurdsays from Windsor to Haverhill on the New 
Hampshire side of the river. The price of the paper delivered 
thus at Dresden was 3.9. i\d. per quarter.^ 

In March, 1784, a postal system was established by the State 
of Vermont, with postoffices, among other places, at Windsor 
and at Newbury, and a weekly rider from Bennington to those 
points, by way of Brattleboro, taking Hanover, of course, by 
the way, since the route from Windsor to Newbury lay of neces- 
sity at that time on the New Hamsphire side.^ 

By an act of February 12, 1791, the State of New Hampshire 
for the first time established a regular postal system and ten 

' Records of the Town and Selectmen of Hanover, N. H,, 1761-1818, pp. 58, 71. 
» Vermont Journal, September 11, 1783. 
'Vermont Governor and Council, III, p. 392. 



Mails and Routes of Travel. 619 

postmasters were appointed,^ one of them, Samuel McCIure, 
at Hanover, March 16, 179 1. On the same day John Lathrop 
was appointed to ride route number two, which ran from Concord 
by way of Boscawen and Plymouth to Haverhill, and back 
through Hanover, Lebanon, Canaan and Salisbury. The post- 
riders were to ride every fortnight. Postage charges were 
reduced to sixpence for every forty miles and fourpence for 
less distances. Postmasters received twopence for every letter 
delivered through their office. ^ 

We learn from the Concord HeraW that John Lathrop already 
rode this circuit before the act was passed, certainly from Jan- 
uary, 1790, and in November, 1792, that he was succeeded 
by John Scofield upon a weekly schedule by way of Concord, 
Boscawen, Grantham, Lebanon, Hanover, Haverhill, Warren, 
Wentworth, Rumney and New Chester. Starting on Thursday 
morning at eight, he would be once more in Concord on the 
following Wednesday evening at seven. Deacon Joseph Curtis 
was his newspaper agent at Hanover. On this plan letters and 
packages destined to Concord must needs go by way of Haverhill, 
consuming five days in the process. 

By the act of the Federal Congress approved February 20, 
1792, the postal system of the United States was for the first 
time extended to this section. Hanover had before been made 
the terminus of a weekly route from Brattleboro on which the 
mail passed through Windsor northward every Thursday,* and 
on March 20, 1793, Samuel McClure was appointed the first 
United States postmaster at Hanover. The postoffice was in 
his barber and tailor shop which stood about where the adminis- 
tration building now stands. Up to 1800 the mail arrived from 
the south every Saturday morning about ten o'clock and left 
at two p. m., going on north. From October i, 1800, Silas 
Curtis contracted to carry a weekly mail direct to this place 
from Exeter by way of Concord, so the village had from that 
time two mails each week. 

Riders on private account were still common for a long time 
in connection with the various newspapers. Besides the papers 
they carried small packages and letters and did miscellaneous 
-errands. For example, in June, 1802, a "new post" is announced 

» State Papers, XXII, p. 269. 
ilbid., XXII, p. 221. 

* Concord Herald, November, 1791, No%'einber, 1792. 

♦ Vermont Governor and Council, p. Ill, pp. 393-39S. 



620 History of Dartmouth College. 

by the Dartmouth Gazette,^ informing the pubUc that "Mr, Levi 
Day of Hebron who is unable to do hard labor has undertaken 
the business of a postrider. He rides through Hanover, Lime, 
Dorchester, Hebron, Grafton, Wentworth and several other 
towns. Those who wish for the Gazette will be supplied on 
reasonable terms." The same issue proposes to the subscribers 
in Plainfield that they take their papers in future at the printing 
ofifice, forming a company of thirteen or twenty-six and taking 
their turns in coming after them. The mail carrier at this time 
was Daniel Blaisdell. There was also in October, 1803, a weekly 
rider, Jonathan Edgerly, from Hanover by way of Concord and 
Exeter to Portsmouth, leaving Dewey's tavern every Friday 
morning.^ 

The era of turnpikes had now arrived and carriages appear 
for the first time for public conveyances.^ "February i, 1803, 
Sayer Bullock of Hanover informs the public that he has con- 
tracted to carry the mail from Hanover to Haverhill once a week 
in a carriage sufficient to carry two passengers. Passengers will 
be conveyed for threepence per mile." A year later the demand 
was sufficient to accelerate the service to twice a week.'* On 
September 18, 1802,* Jacob W. Brewster announced that he 
had contracted with the Postmaster General to run a line of 
Mail Stages from Dartmouth College to Suffield, Conn., twice 
a week, beginning the first day of October. The stages started 
in both directions on Mondays and Thursdays, and, leaving 
Hanover at six o'clock, a. m. they reached Brattleboro at noon 
the next day, and Suffield the third day. It was expected to 
arrange at that point to connect with the lines to New York. 
Fourteen pounds of baggage were allowed to each passenger. 

These did by no means dispense with the postriders. Jona- 
than Edgerly informs the public November, 1803, that he rides 
from Portsmouth to Hanover, succeeding one Daniel Blaisdell, 
and delivers newspapers along the route. These riders of course 
travelled the "great" or "Country" road of 1762-1764, along 
the Connecticut, which had long before this time been adopted 
by the county, and much improved. At some time subsequent 
to 1775 the course of it through the southern part of Hanover 
was changed from the half mile line to a route nearer the river, 
so as to cross Mink brook and reach the college plain by the 

> Dartmouth GazHte, June 19, 1802. < Dartmouth Gazette, February 19, 1804. 

*Il)id., October 14. 1803. ^ Ibid., September 18. 1802. 

* Ibid., February 19. 1803. 



Mails and Routes of Travel. 621 

present route up "main street," then crossing the Common 
diagonally, it followed substantially the course of the present 
river road some four miles, and thence returned up the hill to 
the old half mile road to Lyme by the path still designated as 
the "County road." though that name is changing to that of 
"State road." The earliest records of the action of the county 
on this line are not found. Records, however, exist of alter- 
ations made in 1797 and 1805. 

But notwithstanding all that was done by the town, county 
and State, the roads continued to be very bad for some years 
after the opening of the century. The Boscawen road was an 
entire failure. In 1796 "the transport of goods from Boston 
and of produce back was so expensive, uncertain and hazardous 
by reason of the badness of the road from Merrimac River over 
the height of land to Hanover, that many of the traders continued 
to purchase their goods at New York and transport them by 
water, "^ this route, though itself expensive and hazardous, 
being less so than the other. The distance to Boston was 130 
miles and of it thirty miles over the heights were in some seasons 
almost impassable. People were living at Montpelier in 1844, 
the time of the agitation for railroads, who had brought goods 
from Boston by ox-teams, occupying four weeks in a trip, at 
an expense of $60 a ton.^ Webster in his speech in 1847 ^t 
Franklin at the opening of the Northern railroad declared that 
so late as when he left College (in 1801) "there was no road from 
river to river for a carriage fit for the conveyance of persons." 
We have a reminiscence of this road in the memoirs of George 
Ticknor, who made his first journey from Boston to Hanover 
in 1802, at the age of eleven. (He was a sophomore in College 
in 1803 and graduated in 1807,)^ 

My grandfather's farm was at Lebanon, on the Connecticut River. Dart- 
mouth College, in Hanover, where my father was educated, was only a few 
miles off, and he liked to visit both. My mother went with him and so did I. 
The distance was hardly 120 miles, but it was a hard week's work with a 
carriage and a pair of horses the carriage being what used to be called a 
coachte. One day I recollect we made with difficulty thirteen miles, and the 
road was so rough and dangerous that my mother was put on horseback 
and two men were hired to go on foot, with ropes to steady the carriage over 
the most difficult places. 

> See Graves's Appeal to Boston Merchants, p. 700. 

• Address of Professor Haddock before the railroad convention at Montpelier, January 8, 
1844. p. 7- 
' Life and Letters of George Ticknor, Vol. I, p. 5. 



622 History of Dartmouth College. 

The experience of another, six years later, by the southern 
route (the second New Hampshire turnpike), was even more 
exciting.* Amos Kendall started from Amherst, N. H., March 
25, 1808, to enter the freshman class at Dartmouth. Though 
the snow was generally gone it still covered the hill country 
between the Merrimac and the Connecticut, and the second day 
the coach plowed through the cradle holes on runners like a boat 
on the waves, which made Amos very sick. But on reaching 
the Connecticut valley, and wheels again, he felt encouraged 
though still unable to eat. Leaving Windsor, eighteen miles 
from College, soon after four o'clock on the 28th, with four horses 
and a drunken driver, a portion of the running gear was before 
long carried away in a collision with a cart, which made the 
stage unsafe for riding down the many steep hills, so that the 
progress was slow. About eleven p. m., within three miles of 
the College on a level plain, the driver, now almost stupefied 
with his frequent potations, turned the wheels of the stage 
suddenly into a sled track in the snow beside the road, and as 
they struck a stump the stage went over. The passengers were 
only slightly bruised, but the stage being righted after an hour's 
work, by the aid of neighbors called from their beds, proved to 
be wholly disabled. The two passengers mounted two of the 
horses on borrowed saddles, with their trunks before them and 
started again through the mud. The driver rode on a bag of 
corn flung over the back of another horse, and drove the fourth 
before him. They had gone but a few rods when the bag of 
corn becoming untied emptied half its contents on the ground; 
while that was being gathered up the fourth horse trotted oflf 
on a sled path into the woods and it took half an hour to get 
him back. They reached the College at two o'clock in the 
morning, when Kendall, having eaten nothing since breakfast of 
the preceding day, went to bed in a state of complete exhaustion. 

The construction of great through lines of road by town action 
under the compulsion of the legislature, as in the case of the 
Boscawen road, proved so unsatisfactory that attempt was 
made to bring private capital into the enterprise by turnpike 
charters. As early as 1792 plans began to be agitated for a 
comprehensive system of turnpikes that should extend from 
Boston to Burlington, and in that year citizens of Hanover 
and Lebanon, in expectation of it, procured a charter for a bridge 
over the Connecticut. A bridge was built at Bellows Falls 

' Autobiography of Amos Kendall, p. 19. 



Mails and Routes of Travel. 625 

the same year, but there was none north of it, and the matter 
slumbered till 1796. In that year, June 16, the turnpike era 
was fairly inaugurated.^ The first "New Hampshire Turnpike" 
(from Portsmouth to Concord) was incorporated by the legis- 
lature and an ineffectual petition, headed by Elisha Payne of 
Lebanon and Jonathan Freeman of Hanover, was made at the 
same session for authority to construct a turnpike from Boscawen 
to Lebanon. The matter was adjourned to the November 
session, publication was ordered, and the act to incorporate 
the Grafton turnpike then passed the House (60 to 50), but 
was lost in the Senate. ^ 

It was not till four years later, upon a new petition filed in 
June, 1800, that a charter was granted through the influence 
of B. J. Gilbert, the member from Hanover, to Elisha Payne, 
Constant Storrs of Lebanon and Russell Freeman of Hanover, 
December 8, 1800, under the style of the "Fourth Turnpike 
road in New Hampshire."* Of the 400 shares about 30 were 
taken in Hanover, where much interest was felt in the enterprise 
in connection with the bridge over the Connecticut River, then 
lately built, and a contemplated road up the White River valley 
to Lake Champlain. The petition set forth the existing "incon- 
veniences from the badness of the roads between Merrimac 
River and the towns of Lebanon and Hanover; that the trade 
of the western parts of this state and of the northern parts of Ver- 
mont is, of course, turned from our own seaports and our most 
commercial towns to those of Connecticut and New York; and 
that the natural impediments between the aforesaid places 
and the Merrimac River render the provisions by law for making 
and repairing public roads wholly inadequate to the purpose 
of rendering communication easy, convenient and safe." Very 
few shares were taken in the towns along the road, except in 
Lebanon, but Portsmouth was a large subscriber.* 

The main line of this road extended from the northeast corner 
of Boscawen through Salisbury, Andover, Wilmot, Springfield, 
Enfield and Lebanon, following the valley of the Mascoma 
to the Connecticut, opposite the mouth of the White River, 
where Lyman's bridge was built in 1805. Hanover and the 

> New Hampshire Gazelle, July 23, 1796. 

«H. J., 1796, p. 59- 

• The second from Claremont to Amherst and the third from Bellows Falls fifty miles toward 
Boston had been granted in i799- 

< An extended account of this turnpike by John M. Shirley is to be found in a series of five 
articles in the Cranile Monthly, Vol. IV. 



624 History of Dartmouth College. 

new White River Falls bridge were reached by a branch diverg- 
ing from the main road in the easterly part of Lebanon. For 
this branch three routes were proposed, first, the course substan- 
tially of the old county or "Boscawen" road, intersecting the 
main line at the "Great Pond," second a route by the "Great 
Valley," eastward of Mount Support (through which now runs 
the road from Lebanon to Etna), reaching the main line at 
"Alden's bridge," about a mile east of what is now Lebanon 
Centre village; and the third directly over Mount Support 
itself, to the same point. 

The lands on the line of the old road were then pretty well 
settled and the people living there fully appreciated the loss 
they would suffer by having the traffic withdrawn so that the 
determination of the route was the occasion of active contest 
and logrolling. The committee on location. Col. Elisha Payne 
of Lebanon and Col. Aaron Kinsman of Hanover with three 
others, wisely advised the second route (though 164 rods longer 
than that over Mount Support), as being "the levellest and best 
for the public." The majority of votes at Lebanon, September 
25, 1801, was, however, at first in favor of the course of the old 
county road (206 to 191), though the longest and by far the most 
hilly and difficult. But on July i, 1802, this vote was rescinded, 
and the Mount Support route, as now used, adopted apparently 
without a division. The tradition is that the change was brought 
about by President Wheelock, who hoped thus to enhance the 
value of the college lands on Mount Support, through a promise 
of an enlarged subscription to the stock, which, however, failed 
of satisfactory performance. The road was opened to travel 
in December, 1804. From the top of Sand Hill it passed through 
the village by what are now Lebanon, Main and Wheelock 
Streets, to the east abutment of the bridge. 

Within ten years from the date of the first turnpike nearly 
fifty were chartered in the State. The only one (besides the 
fourth) which touched Hanover was the "Grafton turnpike," 
projected in 1803, incorporated June 21, 1804, and completed 
between 1808 and 1811. It ran, substantially parallel to the 
fourth turnpike, from Andover to Orford, through "Canaan 
Street" and across the northeast corner of Hanover. 

The turnpikes did much to develop travel, but after the 
first became unpopular, people objecting to the tolls and toll 
gates which restricted freedom of use, and attempts were set 
on foot to make them free. The Grafton turnpike was made 



Mails and Routes of Travel. 625 

free in January 1829, and five years later a similar movement 
was made in Ajidover against the fourth turnpike by laying 
it out as a highway. The owners resisted and the attempt failed 
because the court adjudged that the law did not then allow the 
condemnation of a corporate franchise for public use. The 
pressure continued, however, and the defect in power being 
supplied by the act of July 2, 1838, the road was made free 
within the next two years by successive condemnations. The 
compensation given was small, and the road, though paying an 
average dividend of 4.55 per cent for twenty years, proved in 
the end an unfortunate investment for its promoters. 

After the completion of the turnpike facilities of travel im- 
proved. In May, 1805, there was a mail route from Exeter, 
via Concord, to Hanover once a week, leaving Exeter Tuesday 
morning, arriving at Hanover Friday morning, and starting 
back at noon the same day; connecting with it from Hanover 
was a route to Littleton. The following July the public was 
informed^ "that a stage was erected to run from Hanover to 
Boston," by way of the fourth New Hampshire turnpike and 
Concord, leaving Dewey's Coffee House [modern Hanover Inn] 
every Thursday morning at six o'clock, and arriving in Boston 
on Saturday. The intervening nights were passed at Boscawen 
and "Nashua Village," or Dunstable. The fare was $4.50 to 
Dunstable, and $2.40 thence to Boston. 

Two years later, June 10, 1807,2 announcement was made 
that a stage had commenced running, by the fourth New Hamp- 
shire and Londonderry turnpikes to Boston, 115 miles, twice 
a week, in connection with the Newburyport and other eastern 
stages. "The proprietors have furnished good horses and 
elegant carriages and every attention is paid to passengers." 
Leaving Hanover on Mondays and Fridays at five o'clock a. m., 
the stages reached Concord at the same hour in the evening, 
and starting again next morning arrived that evening in Boston. 
The fare was the same as before, and the way fares six cents a 
mile. 

There was at the same time a mail stage running to Haverhill 
owned by Urial Bascom and R. W. Goold, both Hanover men. 
It went up on Wednesdays and returned on Thursdays. In 
October, 1807,^ there was started with these connections a line 
by White River to Royalton, twice a week, and to Burlington, 

> Dartmouth Gazette. July 5, 1805. ' Dartmouth Gazette, October 28, 1807. 

• Dartmouth Gazette. 
40 



626 History of Dartmouth College. 

once a week, and the time was expedited so that a passenger 
could reach Royalton or Haverhill in two days from Boston. 

As time went on the number of trips increased and the time 
was shortened. By 1809 the Concord stage ran three times a 
week, leaving Concord at five a. m., and reaching Hanover 
at four p. m., but making the return trip in an hour less, as it 
left Hanover at six a. m. and reached Concord at four p. m.^ 
By 1830 the trip between Boston and Burlington, 213 miles, 
was made in two days. The Vermoiit Journal of July 22 of 
that year, announces, that "on Monday last the Burlington 
stage arrived at Hanover at half past five p. m. and proceeded 
to Enfield, where it met the stage from Boston, which left the 
city the same morning." 

Connections were made in other directions; as in 1814^ the 
"northern stage" under the proprietorship of the Goolds and 
Woodbury of Hanover, left the village at five a. m. every Wed- 
nesday and connected through to Lancaster and to Guildhall, 
Vt., on Friday. On Sunday stages left Hanover and Haverhill 
at the same hour and meeting at Orford returned the same day. 
A few years later the Haverhill stage ran three times a week. 
But as the postriders gave way to the stages, so the stages gave 
way to the railroads, and by 1850 they had wholly ceased on 
the through lines, and the more rapid means of communication 
had succeeded. 

1 Dartmouth Gazette, May 25, 1809, and September 23, 18 18. 
'Dartmouth Gazette, March 14. 1814. 



The River. 627 



THE RIVER: DAMS, LOCKS AND BRIDGES. 

The Connecticut River has been of great importance to 
Hanover in many ways, as a means of communication, as a 
barrier against hostile attack, and as a source of power, to say 
nothing of it as a source of ever recurring delight to the lover 
of wild and beautiful scenery, as rich today as it was a hundred 
years ago. The jurisdiction of New Hampshire as fixed by the 
King in 1764 extends to its western bank. 

Until times comparatively modern, as already mentioned, 
much of the heavy freight destined for this region came by boat. 
Prior to the opeinng of the Fourth New Hampshire Turnpike 
about 1804, communication toward the southeast being very 
difficult, most of traffic was up and down the river, and did 
not wholly cease till long after. When the College was located 
here in 1770, boats were in common use and there was already 
a usual landing place on the western shore. There was, of 
course, thenceforward a common landing place on our own 
bank, the shelving beach just under the eastern end of the 
present bridge. Below the landing the bank at that time did 
not drop into the river, as it now does, by a steep pitch, but 
furnished a strip of meadow along the eastern shore similar to 
that on the western side, and wide enough to afford ample room 
for a cart road to the meadows at the mouth of Mink brook, 
guarded by a gate at its northern entrance. 

We know little of the early boats, but there are surviving 
accounts which inform us that in November, 1773, Benjamin 
Wright and Son were engaged in navigation, and it is said that 
the trip to Hartford, Conn., and back occupied fifteen days.^ 
The indication is of a regular transportation business. The 
greatest hindrance to the river traffic was, of course, the numer- 
ous rapids and the carries that were necessary at the principal 
falls. Between Hanover and Hartford the distance by river 
is 170 miles, and the river falls 365 feet over thirteen well defined 
bars of greater or less magnitude, at which it was in general 
necessary to break bulk and carry by. At these bars little 
settlements naturally grew up with a tavern and perhaps a 
store and, if opportunity served, a mill. 

Less than two miles below the College plain is a series of 

'Tucker's History of Hartford, Vt., p. 141. 



628 History of Dartmouth College. 

falls of the first magnitude beginning almost precisely at the 
southern line of Hanover. Though about equally distant from 
the College and the early settlement at West Lebanon, and 
actually within the limits of Lebanon, they have been from 
early times controlled by Hanover men, and improved by their 
capital and enterprise. The limits of Dresden apparently 
embraced them. We have been wont to regard them as a 
feature of our surroundings, and our history would be incomplete 
without an account of their improvement. 

From their nearness to the mouth of the White River these 
falls were distinguished, long before settlements began, as the 
"White River Falls of the Connecticut." They were cele- 
brated for their violence and furnished one of the most trouble- 
some of all the obstructions in the river. The experience of 
Major Robert Rogers affords the earliest mention that we 
find of their dangers. Returning in September, 1759, from the 
sack of the Indian village, St. Francis, he left the starving rem- 
nant of his party at the mouth of the Ammonoosuc, and with 
two companions, a man and an Indian boy, undertook to navi- 
gate the river on a raft to No. 4 (Charlestown) and bring help 
and provisions. He tells us that,^ 

The current carried us down the stream in the middle of the river, where 
we kept our miserable vessel with such paddles as could be split and hewn 
with small hatchets. The second day we reached White River Falls, and 
very narrowly escaped running over them. The raft went over and was 
lost, but our remaining strength enabled us to land and march by the falls; 
at the foot of them Capt. Ogden, and the ranger, killed some red squirrels 
and a partridge while I constructed another raft. Not being able to cut 
the trees I burnt them down, and burnt them at proper lengths. This was 
our third day's work after leaving our companions. 

It was done, of course, on the beach at the foot of the lower 
bar, and probably on the eastern shore. 

In the spring of 1762 the first two white settlers in Haverhill 
and Newbury, returning in a canoe down the river, were upset 
at the lower bar of these falls and one of them, named Michael 
Johnston, was drowned.^ The island just below the bar, on 
which his body was washed ashore, bears his name to this day. 

The river at that period abounded in salmon, and that these 
falls were a favorite and regular resort of the Indian fishermen 
we may readily believe, though there is little that can be definitely 

' Letter of Rogers to General Amherst in Reminiscences of the French War, containing 
Roger's expeditiona, p. 92f. 
> Well»'8 History of Newbury. Vt., p. 17; Powers' Coos County. 



The River. 629 

stated on the point. But we have Wheelock's mention of that 
circumstance, as if it were of common notoriety, in his enumer- 
ation of the advantages of the college location. In verification 
of it we have by authentic tradition from Mr. Luke Dewey the 
fact that he and other children living then on the Vermont side, 
about a hundred years ago, while digging a cave in their play 
on the river's western bank under a large pine stump near the 
principal fall, uncovered a quantity of ancient pottery more or 
less broken, which even they admired and remembered for its 
strangeness and preserved for a time to furnish the make-believe 
tea tables in their cave. Of course the river furnished the 
Indians an accustomed route of travel between the settlements 
and Canada. The party which attacked Deerfield in 1704, 
and carried ofif Mr. Williams, camped at the mouth of White 
River, and a part of them went up the Connecticut, but they 
had bad luck, and two of them died of starvation on the way.^ 

The possibilities of power which these falls promised, was, 
as we know, another principal argument for the location of the 
College at Hanover. 

The falls comprise three distinct bars or ledges of rock 
extending across the stream within the distance of about a mile 
as the river runs. They are known as the upper, the middle 
and the lower bars respectively. The upper bar situated just 
below the great eddy at the foot of "Negro Island" is now quite 
obliterated by the raising of the level by the new dam, but its 
position is shown by two little islands. Before the building of 
the dam there was a rocky, turbulent rapid at certain stages 
of water wholly impracticable for boats. The great fall, where 
the dam now is, constitutes the middle bar, and the lower bar 
shows itself very evidently a half mile farther down. 

The carry at these falls was on the eastern side and was a 
long one. Its path is still visible, and a good part of it is in 
common use for farm purposes. It began at the foot of the 
lower fall, passed through a gap in the rock where till lately 
was a ruined lock, skirted the river bank on the low m.eadow 
(known as "winrov,^ meadow") up to the foot of the middle 
bar, and then by a short turn to the left and a sharp climb 
reached a higher level, which it followed about a quarter of a 
mile quite beyond the middle bar itself, and thence forced back 
by the precipitous banks, rose by the private road now in use 
through the woods to the crest of the rocky knoll near the Han- 

> B. H. Hall's History of Eastern Vermont, p. ii; Wells's History of N'ewbury, Vt., p. 9. 



630 History of Dartmouth College, 

over line, and thence back again to the river by a cart road still 
used, to the eddy south of Negro Island. At certain stages of 
water the carry was much shortened by drawing in to the river 
below the upper bar, 150 rods or so above the middle fall. 

The public highway known to us as the "river road," the 
great "country road" of 1762-1764 as first laid, after crossing 
Mink brook, going south, turned to the right of its present 
course at a point now indicated by a clump of willows half 
way up the first hill, and passing to the west of all the houses 
now there, came, according to the Lebanon records, into this 
carrying road near the top of the above mentioned rocky knoll, 
at the house of Mr. Charles Tilden, the first proprietor (the 
site of which is indicated by the ancient orchard on the hill side), 
and utilized it thence to the lower fall. The course of that 
section was afterward changed, prior certainly to 1794, so as 
to take the present course of the road as far as Mr. Packard's, 
along the eastern face of the hill and thence going straight on 
west of the Barstow house and down to the meadow through 
the deep narrow ravine, which the present road to the main fall 
crosses by a short causeway. The line of its approach may 
still be seen through the grove of tall pines on the right as one 
goes to the falls, but this portion of the road was given up and 
the road thrown into its present course about 1809 in conse- 
quence of the erection of works at the lower bar which flooded 
the adjacent meadow at high water, and was attended with 
litigation.^ 

The earliest settlement was naturally at the lower bar, where 
the carry began; no other spot on this side was equally 
favorable. We hear of it in 1779, and there can be no doubt 
that it existed considerably earlier than that. Capt. Samuel 
Paine, somewhat distinguished in the defence of the frontier, 
conveyed in that year to Capt. John House the house on the 
east side of the highway, which he had built and occupied till 
a short time before. 

In January, 1785, this house (then occupied by Thomas 
Brigham) and the bulk of the land adjoining the lower bar, 
passed from Capt. House into the hands of one Daniel Phelps 
of Stafford, Conn., a trader of much enterprise, who continued 
some twenty years to flourish in the neighborhood. From 1790 
to 1804 he owned also the mills at the middle bar on the Vermont 
side. The lower fall has always been distinguished as the 

» Adams's New Hampshire Reports. 1816-1819, PP- 339^- 



The River. 631 

"Phelps bar." There were several houses there and the settle- 
ment increased to a cluster of seven or eight dwellings, one of 
them of some pretension; a blacksmith's shop, a store, a grist 
mill and a tavern are spoken of in 1792.^ 

It is certain that there was at some time a mill at the point 
of rocks at the western end of the lower fall, taking water through 
the sluice, of which traces were visible till a short time since, 
and connected with it were several dwellings on the top of the 
bluff near by. At the middle bar by far the most eligible site 
for mills was on the Vermont side. The lay of the land was 
such that no dam was necessary in ordinary stages of the water 
for the development of considerable power and we hear of a 
grist mill and a fulling mill (and probably a saw mill) in oper- 
ation there in 1784, not far from the south end of the present 
dam. One or more of these had been built, and was then oper- 
ated by Simeon Dewey of Hanover. 

These all stood on a parcel of four acres of land belonging 
to Israel Gillett (whose descendants still hold the neighboring 
farms), which in June, 1788, he conveyed to three Hanover 
people, viz., John Payne, John Payne, Jr., and Elizabeth Turner. 
The elder Payne had been for a number of years an innkeeper 
near the College. In 1790-1791 the grist and saw mills came 
into the hands of Daniel Phelps, from whom they passed 
in 1804 to Daniel Gillett and in 1813 to Gordon Whitmore, and 
they seem to have been standing as late as 1825. 

The land at the middle bar on the New Hamsphire side was 
a part of the orginal right of David Turner, and in 1794 was 
owned by Charles Tilden. In October of that year Tilden 
conveyed five acres abutting on the falls to James Wheelock, 
a son of the first President, for £100, L. M., and with it an 
allowance for a road to be laid two rods wide out to the great 
road by the course of the present path. It does not appear 
that there had been as yet any mill on this side the stream at 
that point, but a saw mill was then built, and perhaps others, 
by Wheelock and his father-in-law. Col. Aaron Kinsman. At 
the upper bar there has never been a mill or any improvement. 

The entire fall in the river at the two lower bars is 37 feet, 
and the carry was about a mile and a half in length. The 
importance of so improving the river as to dispense with this 
long and troublesome land transit, began early to be appreciated. 
On June 20, 1792, a charter was granted by the New Hampshire 

• Notes given by Dartmouth College to Parsons for work on Dartmouth Hall. 



632 History of Dartmouth College. 

legislature to Ebenezer Brewster and Rufus Graves of Hanover, 
and Aaron Hutchinson of Lebanon, under the name of the 
White River Falls Bridge Co., authorizing them among other 
things to lock the falls between the mouth of Mink Brook and 
the eddy below the lower bar, if completed within seven years. 
Nothing was in fact done under this charter for the improvement 
of the falls, the energies of the company being expended in 1796 
toward the other object of their charter, the building of a bridge, 
of which more will appear farther on. 

Facilities for navigation were first afforded by the enterprise 
of Mills Olcott. In 1806 the mills built upon the parcel of 
Wheelock and Kinsman were in the hands of one Gordon Whit- 
more, from Middletown, Conn. There was at that time a rude 
dam which raised the water some four feet. In March, 1806, 
Whitmore persuaded Mr. Olcott to join him in making a passage 
or "slip" for the purpose of passing lumber by the fall, at an 
estimated cost of $300. After considerable work had been done, 
and some $600 expended it became evident that, to accomplish 
the object in view, much more elaborate works were needed, em- 
bracing the lower as well as the middle fall, and involving the rais- 
ing of the dam eight feet so as to flow the water back upon the 
rapids of the upper bar and make it passable for boats and rafts. 
The estimated expense, all told, was $4,000. 

The plans were, accordingly, modified in July 1806, and as 
Whitmore had but limited means (none at all as it afterward 
proved), Mr. Olcott bought three quarters of his interest on 
the New Hampshire side and agreed to advance the money to 
complete the improvements. Whitmore, who pretended to be 
an expert in such matters, was to superintend the construction. 
The work went on the same year under this arrangement. A 
freshet soon carried away a part of the dam, and a new one 
built the same fall, at an expense of $800, was also partially 
destroyed, together with the mills, in April following, and the 
locks and gates greatly injured by a freshet which at the same 
time carried off the bridges at Bath and Wells River. 

Mr. Olcott rebuilt the mills at a cost of about $1,000, and 
proceeded anew with the dam. In order to make the work 
available it was necessary to extend the improvements to the 
lower bar and Mr. Olcott purchased the rights in his own name. 
On an evening in September, 1808, half of the dam at the lower 
fall, in course of construction, was carried away by another 
freshet and three of the workmen (Moore, Southerd and Clark) 




A4 ^ 




The River. 633 

were drowned. To illustrate his imperturbability it is related 
that the intelligence of this disaster was brought to Mr. Olcott 
by a horseman who dashed at full speed up to his door in the 
evening in great excitement and delivered his tale to him as he 
sat in his parlor engaged in reading a play of Shakespeare to 
his family. Mr. Olcott heard him through unmoved and saying 
quietly, "Well, I don't see how I can help it," resumed his 
reading. In October, 1808, he contracted with Roger Sargent, 
Alexander Clinton and Jonathan Austin for $1,200 to complete 
the dam twelve feet above low water mark and to warrant it 
for a year, and with William and Collin Preston for $2,000 to 
blast out and complete the lock. 

Much of the difficulty experienced arose from the incom- 
petency of Whitmore, and after this last mishap Mr. Olcott 
called his brother-in-law, Ben Porter, to his aid, and gave the 
work into other hands, but the enterprise still suffered from 
the careless work that had already been put into it, and in the 
fall of 1809 a contract was made with Roger Sargent for $50, 
to make the upper dam so tight that "the water should fairly 
run over it at low water." The upper lock too was so poorly 
constructed that on being filled for the first time with water 
it wholly burst and had to be torn down and rebuilt at great 
expense. 

Not until 1 8 10 were the works completed so as to be effectual, 
and Mr. Olcott found that he had expended, instead of the I300 
originally contemplated, nearly $23,000 on the work itself, 
besides his own services for four years and some $5,000 for interest 
on money borrowed from time to time to carry on the work. 
Ready money was scarce and he was often put to great straits 
to procure it, and was often subjected to usurious charges. The 
work was so protracted and he had to borrow so much that his 
credit suffered. In this connection the following story is told: 

Being at one time in special need of a sum of money for this 
work, and hearing that a gentleman in Lebanon had $1,000 
to loan, and knowing that he himself could not borrow it, he 
agreed with Richard Lang, a prominent merchant of Hanover, 
to borrow it as if for his own account, promising to pay him 
6 per cent extra by way of commission for his services. The 
merchant procured it, but represented to Mr. Olcott that he 
was obliged to pay 12 per cent interest, which made it cost Mr. 
Olcott under his agreement, 18 per cent for a single year. Mr. 
Olcott made no remark, but found means during the year to 



634 History of Dartmouth College. 

ascertain the real facts of the case, and learned that his friend 
had, in truth, procured the loan not at 12 per cent but at 6 per 
cent. At the end of the year he placed $1,000 in one package 
and provided himself with three other packages of |6o each. 
Then entering Mr. Lang's store at the busiest hour of the day 
when it was full of customers, he addressed him in a loud voice: 
"Mr. Lang, I have come to pay you the money which you 

borrowed for me a year ago of Mr. in Lebanon. There; 

Sir, are the $1,000 you borrowed, there (laying down a second 
package) are the $60 interest you had to pay for it. There 
(laying down a third package) are the extra $60 which I agreed 
to pay you for getting it, and there are $60 that you jewed me 
out of." 

The three locks at the upper fall and the two at the lower 
were all open to traffic in the spring of 1810, each lock was 88 
feet long inside, giving a working length of 66 feet clear. 

Pending all this Mr. Olcott had applied to the New Hamp- 
shire legislature, in 1806, for authority to maintain the locks 
and levy tolls, and June 12, 1807, an act of incorporation was 
granted him under the style of the White River Falls Company, 
with a reservation of any existing rights under the former charter 
of 1792, of which he procured a release. Two years later upon 
a further petition, reciting the difficulties he had encountered 
in the works, they were by law exempted from taxation for ten 
years. 

Logs in those days passed down the river loose, as is customary 
now, and the charter expressly forbade the creation of any ob- 
struction to the passage of logs in the manner theretofore used. 
There had been a series of laws from 1792 regulating the running 
of logs loose in the river and in June, 1808, Mr. Olcott procured 
the enactment of a further law applicable to the Connecticut 
River and prohibiting the running of timber of any dimension 
not rafted and controlled, ostensibly because of the damage 
which loose logs were likely to occasion to dams and other works, 
and for the sake of encouraging the manufacture of lumber 
within the State.^ The law accomplished that object and inci- 
dentally compelled an extensive use of the locks. Indeed, Mr. 
Olcott has himself left it on record that only under the operation 
of such a law could the works have proved remunerative. 
Logs and lumber, thenceforward, were floated down in rafts 
made up of sections called "boxes," of a size convenient to 

"Acts of June lo. 1808; Laws of New Hampshire, iSis, P- 7- 



The River. 635 

pass the locks and be reunited below. Huts were constructed 
on the central sections in which the raftsmen lived. The rafts 
floated with the current, guided by the use of sweeps, and were 
at night tied up along the shore. They disappeared from the 
river soon after 1850. The tolls were at first $1 per thousand 
for lumber and $1 per ton for merchandise and $2 for a boat. 
They produced the first year $2,343 ^^^1 gradually increased until, 
in 181 7, they amounted to $4,683. 

Mr. Olcott's troubles by no means ended with the completion 
of the works. Litigation harassed him incessantly for the next 
twenty-five years. His associate Whitmore proved not only 
incompetent but insolvent. The land on which stood the works 
at the upper falls lay under a mortgage from Whitmore to 
Wheelock and Kinsman. In 18 10 it was foreclosed, and Mr. 
Olcott redeemed it. Next" Whitmore, aided by Col. Bellows, 
sued him in the Vermont courts, and afterward in chancery in 
the United States Circuit Court of New Hampshire. Not until 
1 82 1, did this come to an end. It was settled by giving up to 
Whitmore and Bellows one quarter interest (one eighth to each) 
in the works on the New Hampshire shore, at both falls, and 
receiving in turn a three-quarter interest in the mills and lands 
adjacent to the falls on the Vermont side, which Whitmore had 
hitherto retained. The one-quarter interest of Whitmore and 
Bellows very soon passed through different channels to William 
Harris of Portland and to his brother James Harris of Boston, 
and remained in the ownership of that family till 1880. 

The town of Lebanon early exhibited a hostility to the improve- 
ments. The erection of the lower dam, as I have already ob- 
served, flooded the great road along the meadow, and compelled 
a change of its location. The charter seemed to contemplate 
such an event and provided for a reference to the selectmen of 
Plainfield to award damages in any case where the town of 
Lebanon might be injured. The Plainfield officers were in 
1809 called upon and assessed a damage of $240. Lebanon was 
dissatisfied and brought a suit in the State courts which was 
at length decided favorably to Mr. Olcott. 

The period of ten years' special exemption from taxation given 
by the act of 1809 having expired, it was discovered that property 
of this description independent of that act was not enu- 
merated as taxable by existing laws, so that the exemption prac- 
tically continued. Lebanon accordingly renewed the attack by 
a petition to the legislature in November, 1820, for a law enabling 



636 History of Dartmouth College. 

the town to tax the property of the corporation, alleging by way 
of aggravation divers grievances against it. Mr. Olcott, himself 
at that time a member of the House, met the petition by a 
remonstrance, and the whole matter was quietly postponed to 
the next session and for the time passed out of sight. 

Hostility next took the form of direct opposition to the collec- 
tion of tolls. The charter of 1807 had given the right to fix 
and collect tolls for the period of twelve years. That period 
had now expired and George Banfill and Ebenezer Carleton of 
Bath, extensive lumber dealers, refused payment and were sued 
by Mr. Olcott in 1825. He was again successful both at the 
trial term and in the Law Court, but the cause was, nevertheless, 
on a minor point remanded for a new trial and lingered some 
years on the docket. The next step (pending the suit against 
Banfill) was an application to the legislature in June, 1825, 
by Ezekiel Ladd and others, including the same Banfill, rehears- 
ing the expiration of the twelve-year period of tolls, and alleging 
that the tolls were exorbitant and oppressive, at least four 
times too high, and asking redress. After notice to Mr. Olcott 
a hearing was had at the June session, 1826, and the Justices 
of the Superior Court of Judicature were directed to regulate 
tolls on application of at least six persons. No proceedings 
however were taken under that authority.^ 

But the most formidable attack came in June, 1827, upon 
petition by Hamlin Rand and others for directions to the At- 
torney General to test the franchise by quo warranto. Mr. 
Olcott appeared as usual with a remonstrance, but to no effect, 
and the legislature gave the desired instructions to the Attorney 
General (George Sullivan) to proceed at the next term of the 
Court. 

The proceedings were subject to embarrassment from the 
fact that no organization had ever been had under the charter, 
Mr. Olcott being sole corporator and also claiming to enjoy 
the privileges independent of the charter, because of his owner- 
ship of both banks of the river. Two separate informations 
were accordingly filed, one against the corporation and one 
against Mr. Olcott and his associates individually. For the 
purpose of defence he at one time claimed that he had never 
accepted the charter, but finding himself unable to stand on that 
ground, as the Court held the river to be a public highway, 
he was driven at last to his charter to justify the dam. Mr. 

' Act of July 7, 1826, Pamphlet Laws, p. 6115. 



The River. 637 

Olcott, as has been said, was a stanch and prominent Federahst. 
The State had fallen into the hands of the Democrats under 
lead of Isaac Hill, and Mr. Olcott with some reason believed 
that political prejudice lay at the bottom of the proceedings, 
so far as the legislature was concerned. The causes were 
continued from term to term upon one ground and another 
until the immediate excitement had died away. 

In January, 1833, the legislature repealed the special act 
of 1808 which forbade running logs loose and thereafter the logs 
in this river were subject only to the general law. In June, 1833, 
the Harrises very adroitly opened correspondence with Isaac 
Hill on their own behalf as non-residents, stating frankly Mr. 
Olcott's apprehensions, and their own belief that it was after 
all essentially a matter of rates of toll, and asking advice as to a 
method of closing the controversy by legislative interference. 
Their letter is a model of adroit presentation. The nature- of 
Mr. Hill's reply I do not know, but a few days later, on the 
5th of July, the legislature ordered the cessation of proceedings 
on certain easy terms, involving the settlement of rates by the 
Court on application of the corporation every five years, and 
"waived, remitted and extinguished all causes of forfeiture of 
rights heretofore accruing. "^ 

No doubt this result was facilitated by the fact that during 
the pendency of the proceedings a meeting had been held at 
Springfield, March 6, 1829, by delegates from the lock and canal 
owners on the river, including those at South Hadley, Montague, 
Bellows Falls, Waterquechee and White River Falls, at which 
meeting an agreement was entered into for the expenditure on 
joint account of $1,000 in improving sundry bars, and (most 
important of all) for the reduction of tolls to a schedule then 
established, pursuant to which the toll on merchandise at White 
River Falls was reduced from $1 to 50 cents per ton, though on 
lumber $1 per thousand continued to be charged as before, and 
$2 on boats. 

All preliminaries being arranged, the Court took up Mr. 
Olcott's matter in July, 1834, and appointed Benjamin Pierce, 
Charles H. Atherton and Salma Hale a committee to examine 
the locks, hear the parties and report a schedule of tolls. A 
hearing was had at the Dartmouth Hotel the following October 
and continued three days, Mr. Olcott with Joseph Bell and 
Ichabod Bartlett appearing for the corporation and Jonathan 

I Pamphlet Laws, 1833, p. 136. 



638 History oj Dartmouth College. 

Smith and Peter Burbank for the contestants; the result was 
the final settlement of tolls in 1835 for the next five years at 
57 cents per ton for merchandise and lumber, and rafts, a reduc- 
tion of nearly one half upon lumber and logs which comprised 
the bulk of the business. 

The result surprised everybody; not only had a great deal 
of lumber been held back in expectation of the reduction, but 
the water in the river continued during the fall lower than it 
had ever been known, and the lumber which was destined to 
go forward was prevented from moving till it was locked up by 
the early frost. At the opening of the spring, the matter of 
tolls having been settled, it was sent forward in such quantities 
that Mr. Olcott's receipts for tolls the following year amounted 
to upward of $10,000, which was double what had been collected 
in any previous year and for several following years the receipts 
were in the region of $5,000 per year. 

Here practically ended the long course of hostile litigation 
from which Mr. Olcott had hardly been for a moment free dur- 
ing twenty-five years. Suits for costs, etc., connected with it 
harassed him still, but the franchise thenceforward was secure. 
The county put in a heavy claim for costs at the fall term of 
1835, which was contested by Mr. Olcott, attending at Concord 
in person. His opponents under the lead of Ira Goodall, Esq., 
of Bath, who had been identified with them as attorney in the 
litigation, made one more attempt (hardly more than a threat) 
on different lines. Stephen Underwood of Bath having devised 
and patented a marine railway for the overland transportation 
of loaded boats past obstructions to navigation, a charter was 
obtained from the Vermont legislature November 14, 1836, 
authorizing Messrs. Underwood and Goodall with Simeon 
Lyman of Hartford, Vt., under the style of "The Norwich and 
Hartford Railroad and Forwarding Company," to construct 
a single, double or treble railway between the head of these 
falls on the Vermont side and Lyman bridge, at the mouth 
of the White River, "to transport, take, and carry persons and 
property on the same by power of steam, animals, or mechanical 
or other power." But it does not appear that the scheme 
advanced any further than this. 

Next to Mr. Olcott's own shrewdness and pluck, his success 
in resisting attack was due in large decree to the advantages 
he enjoyed in the professional support of Nathaniel Chipman 
on one side of the river, and of Joseph Bell, Jeremiah Mason, 



The River. 639 

Jeremiah Smith and Webster on the other. He had also the 
greatest advantage in being in possession and on the defensive; 
able to continue quietly collecting the tolls which furnished 
him the sinews of war, while his enemies were being wasted 
in purse and discouraged by delays, the advantage of which he 
and his able counsellors never forgot. 

When in 1835 the Court was engaged in settling the rates of 
toll Mr. Olcott was of course present and was heard. In the 
course of his statement he laid stress on the hazardous nature 
of the property as affecting the rates of toll. Judge Richardson, 
who presided, said to him, " Mr. Olcott, you speak of the property 
as being extraordinarily hazardous. Is it fire you fear or freshets? 
Pray tell us where the great danger lies." "Yes," replied Mr. 
Olcott, "we are in some danger from lire, and in some from 
freshets, but we fear most the legislature of New Hampshire 
and its courts." 

He was destined to endure one more piece of unpalatable 
interference from this body, which by a law passed in December, 
1840, without notice, made a further reduction in his tolls of 
from twenty-five to sixty per cent.^ 

The works had hitherto remained under the personal manage- 
ment of Mr. Olcott himself, but advancing age and renewed 
annoyances led to the calling in at this time of his son-in-law, 
WilHam H. Duncan, Esq., to his assistance. Mr. Duncan 
managed the works from that time till 1851. Mr. Olcott died 
July 12, 1845, and his wife, to whom he left this property with 
his other possessions, followed him in May, 1848. Circumstances 
at that period were greatly changed, mainly by the advent of 
railroads, and it seemed necessary to take a new departure.^ 
A new act of incorporation was accordingly obtained by the 
heirs to whom the property fell, and an organization effected 
under a slightly dififerent name, which has survived to the present 
time.3 The capital was fixed at $100,000 and attention turned 
to manufacturing in which extensive operations were contem- 
plated. An engineer was employed who made a very flattering 
preliminary report on the capabilities of the power, but the 
scheme died ere it was fairly produced and nothing practical 

' Pamphlet Laws, 1840, p. si3- 

' The locks and mills had fallen into decay, and two years after the death of Mr. Olcott, 
Mr. Duncan, the superintendent, caused them to be repaired. There were then two mills 
with four upright saws, and a shingle, clapboard and lath mill, all under two roofs. 

' Rufus Choate, Joseph Bell, W. H. Duncan and the children of Mr. Olcott, together with 
James Harris, were the corporators, and the title was "The White River Falls Corporation." 



640 History of Dartmouth College. 

resulted from it. The dams, however, were maintained, the 
saw mills were operated as long as they stood, and the locks 
continued in gradually diminishing use till the destruction of 
the dam at Sumner's Falls in 1857, though after the opening 
of the railroad in 1850 they barely paid expenses. 

In 1825 there were two mills on the Vermont side at the upper 
fail and one or more on the New Hampshire shore. I do not 
know when the Vermont mills perished, but of the New Hamp- 
shire mills, rebuilt in 1835, which stood at the eastern end of 
the dam on either side of the upper lock, one occupied a perilous 
position on the outside edge of the lock, and was carried away 
by a freshet in 1856. President Lord, led by curiosity to venture 
upon it, narrowly escaped going with it. The remaining mill 
was taken down in 1865, the center of the dam having been 
carried out by a freshet, so that the mill was useless. In 1866 
almost all that remained of the old dam was torn away to obtain 
the old growth pine logs, of which it was built, to convert into 
shingles. A small remnant that clung to the Vermont side was 
taken out by the great freshet of 1869. A paper mill was built 
and operated on the Vermont side by Horace French and D. D. 
Gillette without any dam, from 1865 to 1872, when the mill was 
washed away. 

After this the franchise and privilege were long in the market, 
and several times a sale seemed probable, but it was not till 
1880 that they, with lands adjoining, were sold to D. P, Crocker 
of Holyoke, Mass., who intended extensive operations, but 
being turned aside, after changing the name of the White River 
Falls Corporation to the Olcott Falls Company in 1881, he sold 
the property in the next year to Messrs. C. T. and H. A. Wilder 
of Boston. Their first effort for the improvement of the prop- 
erty was the construction of a dam, which the contractors, 
S. S. Ordway and Co., began in the late summer of 1882 under 
fortunate conditions of unexampled low water, and completed 
in the following spring. A pulp mill on the Vermont side was 
first built in 1885, and adjoining it a paper mill was erected in 
1888 and enlarged in 1891. A pulp mill was constructed on 
the New Hampshire side also in 1890, to which an addition was 
made in 1894. All the property passed in 1899 into the hands 
of the International Paper Company. 

Plans for connecting this river with other waters by means 
of canals began very early to be agitated. Gen. Jonathan Chase 
of Cornish (the father-in-law of Dr. Nathan Smith) in 1794 




OLCOTT FALLS, 1H62 




OLCOTT FALLS, 188; 



The River. 641 

petitioned the legislature for a grant of the privilege of cutting 
a canal from the Merrimac to the Connecticut by way of Sunapee 
pond and after two or three years obtained a grant, designed, 
doubtless, to connect with the system which from 1801 was in 
active operation between tide water at Boston and the waters 
of the Merrimac as far north as Concord. This Middlesex 
canal from Boston to the Merrimac at Chelmsford, which was 
chartered in 1793, and begun in September, 1794, was finished 
in 1803, and the system of locks on the Merrimac River was 
completed July i, 1815, so as to pass boats as far as Concord, 
N. H. Surveys were made to connect this with the Connecticut 
River via Sunapee Lake, but the route was found impracticable. 

In 1796 the people of Portsmouth sought legislative authority^ 
for a canal to connect the Piscataqua with the Connecticut by 
Winnipiseogee pond. The scheme was more fully agitated and 
a charter granted in 1824 for a canal designed to enter the 
Pemigewasset at Plymouth and the Connecticut at Haverhill. 
Local works of small magnitude, like that of Mr. Olcott's, 
existed at various points on the Connecticut, but it was not until 
the Erie Canal began to approach completion, and the canal 
from Lake Champlain to the Hudson was under way, that 
any organized movement was made to improve the navigation 
of the river on a comprehensive plan. 

In January, 1824, the subject began to be actively canvassed, 
and an association was at that time formed at Hartford, Conn., 
which a little later obtained a chartered existence under the 
name of the "Connecticut River Company." A committee 
consisting of David Porter and Eliphalet Averill was sent out 
to visit the tow;is adjacent to the river, and as a result of their 
efforts a general convention was called to be held at Windsor 
on the 1 6th day of February, 1825, and more than 200 delegates'* 
from various towns in the valley assembled at that time and 
continued two days in session. They passed resolutions, ap- 
pointed committees, and memorialized Congress for aid toward 
the improvement of the navigation of the river. Measures were 
taken to ascertain the terms upon which all the existing works 
could be purchased, and a committee was sent to Washington 
to procure government assistance in making the necessary sur- 

» H. J.. 1796, p. SO. 

• The delegates, appointed in many cases by the formal vote of the towns, represented thirty- 
seven towns in Vermont, twenty-five in New Hampshire and one each in Massachusetts and 
Connecticut. Vermont Governor and Council, VII, p. 482, Windsor Republican, February 25, 
1825. 

43 



642 History of Dartmouth College. 

veys. The War Department under the influence of members 
of Congress from New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts 
and Connecticut received the application favorably, and detailed 
an officer of engineers, DeWitt Clinton, Jr., to make a survey 
for a canal from the Connecticut River at Barnet to Lake Mem- 
phremagog, and from Connecticut Lake to Long Island Sound, 
in conjunction with commissioners appointed by the four states 
specially interested. This officer proceeded, accordingly, to 
Barnet in May, 1825, and in the course of the summer made 
surveys of three routes to Lake Mem.phremagog and a survey 
of the Connecticut above Barnet.^ 

It being apparent that he would be unable in that season to 
complete the work along the entire length of the river, the 
Connecticut River Company which had been organized in Hart- 
ford early in that year employed an eminent engineer. Holmes 
Hutchinson, of much experience on the Erie canal, with an 
assistant, two surveyors and a party numbering fourteen persons 
in all, to continue the survey downward to Hartford from Barnet. 
They began at Barnet in June, 1825, and on December 21 Mr. 
Hutchinson printed an elaborate report to the directors, who laid 
it before the stockholders at their annual meeting at Hartford, 
January 3, 1826. This report was printed in a pamphlet, and 
embodies a great deal of interesting information. ^ 

The plans of the company contemplated the creation of a 
single corporation under the authority of the four states (Massa- 
chusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire) and an 
expenditure of $1,500,000. Mr. Hutchinson's survey and esti- 
mates were based on the plan of slack water navigation, contem- 
plating the improvement or construction of sixteen dams between 
Barnet and Hartford, and forty-one locks to overcome a fall 
of 420 feet in a distance of 219 miles, of which seventeen miles 
would be by canal and 202 miles by slack water navigation in 
the river, with a minim.um depth of four feet. The Vermont 
legislature took the lead by passing an act in October 1825, 
which was adopted and confirmed with additions by the legis- 
lature of New Hampshire, July 7, 1826.^ The Massachusetts 
legislature was not so responsive. In January 1826 the senate 
passed a bill confirming the Vermont act,* but the house did 
not concur, and the matter came before successive legislatures 

' Report in House Document, No. IS4. ipth Congress, ist Session. 
» See also U. S. State Papers, Vol. 9, No. 154. ist Session, 19th Congress. 
•See for both acts New Hampsiilre Pamphlet Laws 1826, p. 117. 
«S. J.. Vol. 46, p. 334- 



The River. 643 

without favorable action till in 1828 an act was passed, incor- 
porating the "Proprietors of the Central Locks and Canals on 
Connecticut River," but not ratifying the act of Vermont.* 
Connecticut was more friendly and the legislature in May 
1826 confirmed the entire act of Vermont, with only minor 
amendments relative to the rights of the chartered company 
within the limits of Connecticut. 

It is of interest to quote Mr. Hutchinson's remarks upon the 
state of the river near us. 

At Hanover bridge the river is narrow and a large pier is constructed in 
deep water to support the center of the bridge, which occasions a rapid current 
on each side in high water. Two miles below [one mile he should have said] 
at the narrows there are several rocky islands in the river, there is a crooked 
channel on the east side through which the water flows in freshets and which 
would probably afford a facility of passage by excavating the earth and placing 
a guard lock at the entrance. 

The White River falls are one and one half miles lower down, the descent 
of the river at these falls in one mile is thirty-seven feet. There has been 
an imperfect improvement in navigation made round these falls. The works 
consist of two dams and five locks, at the upper dam there is a saw mill on 
each side of the river with two saws in each. [The other mills seem by this 
time to have disappeared.] The locks are on the east side, the walls being 
of stone without mortar, and combined; the hollow quoins are of wood secured 
to the stone work, and the gates are worked by a windlass and chain without 
balance beams. Some of the walls are lined with plank. 

Mr. Hutchinson's plan was to raise the upper dam six feet 
and construct a new canal on the west side through the high 
bank to the eddy below the lower fall, with four locks at its 
lower end. The total expense he estimated at about $85,700. 
This is practically the same plan adopted for the manufacturing 
works constructed in the eighties, saving the canal and locks. 
It is needless to add that no further progress was ever made 
toward the execution of this plan. 

An alternative plan was advocated by others, which wholly 
discarded slack water navigation and involved the construction 
of a canal the entire distance. The controversy was hot among 
the partisans of the two methods, and a rival survey was made 
by Mr. Hurd, which I have not been fortunate enough to obtain. 
A canal from New Haven to Northampton formed part of the 
scheme, and in 1827 was actually under construction. It was 
called the "Farmington Canal" from New Haven to the Massa- 
chusetts line, fifty-six miles, and the "Hampshire and Hampden 

' Mass. Legislative Docs, passim. 



644 History of Dartmouth College. 

Canal" from that point to Northampton, thirty miles. The 
estimated cost was a little over $700,000. The total rise and 
fall in the eighty-six ntiles was 520 feet, to be overcome by sixty 
locks. 

Governor DeWitt Clinton was an ardent advocate of the 
continuous canal, and in the summer of 1827 made a tour of 
inspection along the proposed line from New Haven to Barnet 
in company with Samuel Hinckley, James Hillhouse and Thomas 
Sheldon, a committee of the Hampshire and Hampden Co. 
He estimated the cost of the section from Northampton to 
Barnet at a little over $1,500,000, or $10,000 per mile, and the 
probable annual income of the whole line twelve percent on a total 
cost of $2,500,000. Elaborate calculations were made to show 
the great advantage of this canal over a railroad. 

Governor Clinton's journey was a sort of triumphal progress. 
He was received along the route with the greatest enthusiasm. 
Aside from the special occasion of his visit, political sympathies 
were very strong. General Richard Kimball of Lebanon, who 
had been with the Governor on the Erie canal, received him in 
his fine old manison on the magnificent location on the top of 
the hill overlooking the confluence of the White River and the 
Connecticut, and did his utmost to give eclat to his visit. The 
prominent men of this region joined in giving the Governor 
a dinner at the Dartmouth Hotel in Hanover. Mr. Olcott 
complimented him in a formal speech, and altogether it was a 
great occasion. 

In January, 1828, Mr. Hinckley and the others applied to 
the Massachusetts legislature for leave to extend the Hampshire 
and Hampden canal up the Connecticut and the committee to 
which it was referred unanimously preferred the continuous 
canal and recommended requisite legislation.^ The New Hamp- 
shire legislature passed an act for the same object December 
29, 1828.2 i^ ^he same connection a canal to Lake Champlain 
by the White and Onion Rivers was surveyed in 1828 by United 
States engineers by authority of a Vermont act of November, 
1825, but this part of the plan was found impracticable because 
of inadequate water supply for the locks over the heights of 
the Green Mountains. 

From various causes the whole grand scheme came to naught, 
and a second general convention was called to meet at Windsor, 
September 29, 1830, to consider the subject anew, and devise 

'H. R., p. 41. New Hampshire Laws p. 335. 



The River. 645 

some practicable but less pretentious method to restore the river 
trade to its former prosperity. The convention was attended 
by eighty delegates from twenty-seven towns, of which fourteen 
were in Vermont, nine in New Hampshire, three in Massachu- 
setts and one in Connecticut, Mr. Olcott being of course the 
Hanover delegate.^ It determined to renew the application 
for congressional aid, and to take steps toward a reduction and 
equalization of tolls at the different falls. An enthusiastic 
report was made and adopted in favor of a system of steam 
navigation on the river and practical measures were inaugurated 
to put five steam boats on as many sections of the river, to 
run in connection with each other as a continuous line and to be 
operated by the Connecticut River Steamboat Company, which 
had been incorporated by the Vermont legislature at its last 
session. 

One boat was to run between Hartford and Hadley Falls, 
one between Hadley Falls and Miller's Falls, one between Miller's 
Falls and Bellows Falls, one from Bellows Falls by the aid of 
some contemplated improvements at Quechee Falls, to White 
River Falls, and one between White River Falls and Wells 
River. It was expected that each boat would make a round 
trip every day, the distance ranging from seventy to one hun- 
dred miles. The boats were to be of twenty horsepower, broad, 
long and shallow, propelled by stern wheels and designed not only 
to carry freight, but to tow other boats and barges. Great 
results by way of enlarged traffic and reduced freights were 
anticipated. 

Before this scheme was put in operation an experimental trip 
was made in July, 1831, by a diminutive steamer, the John 
Ledyard, commanded by Captain Samuel Nutt, a veteran 
riverman." This steamer came 

Up the river from Springfield, Mass., and was received at various places 
with speeches and other demonstrations deemed appropriate to the opening 
of steam navigation on the upper Connecticut. Captain Nutt went as far 
as Wells River where he found obstructions that he was unable to surmount. 

Two or three hundred Scotchmen, who lived in the vicinity and were 
anxious to have the steamer go farther, undertook to pull her over the bar, 
with the aid of ropes, but after raising her so far from a horizontal position 

1 Journal of the Convention, holden at Windsor, Vt., September 29 and 30, 1S30, for the 
purpose of taking into consideration subjects connected with the improvement of navigation 
of Connecticut River, Windsor, 1830. 

- Address of W. H. Duncan at the opening of the John Ledyard Free Bridge at Hanover, 
July I, 1859. See also Tucker's History of Hartford, Vt., pp. 373, 374. where the names of 
the other boats are given. 



646 History of Dartmouth College. 

that the explosion of the boiler became imminent the Captain asked them 
to desist, and it took twenty or thirty of them to pull her back into deep 
water again. 

Captain Nutt became superintendent of this portion of the 
new line of boats, and Hved at White River Junction till January 
I, 1871. It is said that Captain Nutt made a still earlier trip to 
Barnet in 1829 with a small side wheel steamer named the Barnet, 
but I am doubtful of the accuracy of the tradition.^ 

The new boats were built in the winter and spring of 1831 and 
put upon the river in the following May or June. The boat 
designed for the upper part of the route appears to have been 
delayed in construction until the succeeding year. It was built 
by the company at Wells River under the superintendence of 
Captain Nutt and bore the name of "Adam Duncan." It made 
a few trips arousing great interest and giving free rides to the 
inhabitants on the route, but, the contemplated improvements at 
the Quechee not having been made, it was unable to make con- 
nections with its neighbor below except by means of a long carry 
at Sumner's falls. It was before long ignominiously attached 
for debt, and tied up at Wells River for about a year. It was 
then sold, bought in by Mr. Olcott, and dismantled, the machinery 
taken out and shipped to Hartford, and the hulk abandoned near 
the shore some fifty rods above the middle bar of the White 
River falls. The signboard bearing its name "Adam Duncan" 
was preserved as a relic about the mills for a good many years, 
and after Mr, W. H. Duncan took charge of them he had a fancy 
to fasten up the old sign conspicuously in the mill, which occa- 
ioned a profane jest at his expense from Mr. Bell, that led to the 
speedy disappearance of the relic. 

The fate of the other boats of the line I have not ascertained 
in detail. It is sufficient to say that traffic refused to be coaxed 
back to the river, and the whole scheme ended in failure. It was 
never revived, attention being turned almost immediately to the 
subject of a railroad of which we shall speak in another place.' 

It would be inexcusable not to allude in this connection to an 
earlier application of steam to the navigation of the river, though 
used by way of experiment only. 

Samuel Morey of Orford began to experiment with steam (as 

I See Conn. Val. Hist. Soc. Papers, Vol. I, p. ii8. 

' The printed reports of these various conventions and surveys are full of interesting statistics 
relating to the trade, manufactures and capabilities of this region; many of these documents 
are now somewhat rare. See also Vermont Governor and Council, VII, 48^ et seq. Haddock's 
oration at Montpelier, January 8, 1844. 



The River. 647 

early, it is said, as 1780), and in 1799 and 1800 took out patents 
for "a method of obtaining a force or power from water with the 
help of steam," which he called a "water engine" and in his 
specifications commends it as "applicable to any mechanical 
purpose from that of turning a spit for roasting meat up to that 
of driving mills or propelling boats. " The minor uses of turning 
spits and bruising and grinding coffee appear to have mainly 
absorbed his attention, but it is certain that he did in fact apply 
his invention to the propulsion of a boat on the Connecticut near 
Orford. 

Rev, Cyrus Mann, a graduate of this college in 1806, and a 
native of Orford, testifies to the fact as witnessed by himself.^ 
He says: 

"The astonishing sight of this man ascending the Connecticut 
River between Orford and Fairlee in a little boat just large enough 
to contain himself and his rude machinery connected with the 
steam boiler and a handful of wood for fire, was witnessed by the 
writer in his boyhood and by others who yet survive . 
as early as 1793." This was written in 1858. Fulton's famous 
voyage from New York to Albany took place in 1807, though his 
earliest ideas on the subject are said to have been formed in 1793. 
It is asserted for a fact fully attested that Fulton, before his 
plans were completed, visited Captain Morey at Orford for the 
special purpose of conferring with him on this subject, and exam- 
ining his work, and was afterward visited by Morey at New 
York. This must have been after 1806, since Fulton was in 
Europe till that year. 2 

We have so far been considering the river lengthwise as a help 
to communication. We have now to look at it crosswise as a 
hindrance. We have already seen how in this aspect it saved our 
community in 1780 from a definite hostile purpose of the Indians, 
and we may well suppose that it stood at many other times a- 
beneficent obstacle between the unconscious settlers and danger. 
But to peaceful trade and friendly intercourse between the eastern 
and the western banks, it has given rise from first to last to no 
little disturbance. 

The spot where our bridge now is was peculiarly favorable for 
a boat landing on either side, and was so used from the earliest 
times. Of course there was more or less passing back and forth, 
and as early at least as 1770 one John Sargeant lived where Mr, 

1 Sanborn's History of New Hampshire, p. 222; Conn.Val. Hist. Soc. , Coll., Vol. I, p. 119. 
«Conn. Val. Hist. Soc. Collections, 1881. Vol. I, p. i2of. 



648 History of Dartmouth College. 

Lewis lately did on the Vermont side, and kept a ferry, and others 
were doubtless kept in a small way at other points in Hanover. 
But the Provincial authorities claimed to control this use of the 
river, and on Dr. Wheelock's application Gov. John Wentworth, 
in the name of the crown, granted to the Trustees and their 
assigns for the benefit of the College, June 22, 1772, "the sole 
privilege of keeping, using and employing a Ferry Boat or Boats 
for the transporting of men, horses, goods, cattle, carriages, etc., 
from the shore of Hanover . . . across the river Connecticut 
to the opposite shore . . . and back again, ... to 
extend the whole length of the township of Hanover," with the 
right to levy toll on condition, " that they should at all times keep 
such boat or boats, and give such attention as the now (or any 
hereafter) laws do or may require," on penalty of forfeiture of 
the grant. All persons were expressly forbidden to set up any 
other ferry within the same limits. Wheelock had solicited the 
grant the previous year but it was delayed in consequence of 
existing jealousies that made it prudent for the Governor to wait. 
He gave up to the College his fees that were usual in such cases. 

In May, 1773, the Trustees directed their treasurer to lease 
out the ferries, whose management occasioned from time to time 
no little trouble. In August, 1775, reciting that sundry persons 
had presumed to put canoes on the river near the College, whereby 
the profits of the stated ferry were reduced, the Trustees voted 
that the rates of toll for the present should be two coppers for 
each person, and fourpence for a man and a horse, until the in- 
truders should be driven away. The m.onopoly enjoyed by the 
College was offensive not only to Sargeant and others on the 
western side, but equally so to the town of Norwich which claimed 
a sort of concurrent authority and even owned at one time a 
ferry boat. Sargeant was naturally especially grieved, as he 
regarded the college claim as subversive of his prior rights, and 
quite a feud existed for a time on account of it between him and 
Dr. Wheelock. 

On October 27, 1772, he wrote to Wheelock: "Let me tell you 
that I am not about to give up my rite to said ferrey So Long as 
I think Justice and Equaty gives it to me, " but by 1775 he seems 
to have been reconciled, and in 1776 he hired the ferry of the 
College for a year for £4. The toll was three coppers for man» 
horse and load, one copper for a footman if no canoes were kept 
in the river, otherwise two coppers, but Wheelock's "natural 
family" was to be passed free. 



The River. 649 

In 1779 the management of the ferry for the next year was 
entrusted to a committee consisting of Messrs. Paine, Woodward 
and Ripley. The town of Norwich, in April, 1780, directed their 
selectmen "to confer with Mr. Sargeant, and the Trustees of 
Dartmouth College, and the Selectmen of Dresden respecting 
the ferry by Mr. Sargeant's, and regulate the same as they may 
think best." In September, 1780, the Trustees' committee was 
instructed to build a ferry house where they should judge most 
convenient and to lease it with the ferry for a term not exceeding 
eight years. 

But the town of Norwich grew more urgent in its claims, on 
what grounds we do not know. They voted, May 2, 1781, 
"that we will challenge and maintain our right and privilege of 
said ferry unless by law or the judgment of some court proper to 
try the same, we become wholly and entirely deprived of it," 
and they chose Peter Olcott, Joseph Hatch and Elisha Benton a 
committee "to take the whole charge and management of the 
matter, and conduct therein as they shall find prudent and neces- 
sary. " 

The Trustees on the other hand strengthened their position 
by buying out Sargeant (as Wheelock had wished to do several 
years before, in 1 773,0 and thus controlling the landing on the 
Vermont side. The deed is dated December 19, 1781, and runs 
to Joseph Marsh, Bezaleel Woodward and Aaron Storrs. 

In March, 1782, Norwich voted "that a committee of three be 
appointed to take the care and management of the ferry leading 
to Dresden in behalf of the town as otir property — it being found 
that great inconveniences have arisen for want of faithful attend- 
ance, and that said committee be desired to lease out or dispose 
of the same for the term of one year to such person as will give 
good security for constant and faithful attendance, and to engage 
to such person the quiet and unmolested possession of said ferry 
. . . and that they immediately procure a boat for that 
purpose." 

The Trustees on their part made to one John Burnap, April 
10, 1782, a lease for one year of the ferry "between the College 
and John Sargeant's in Norwich," Burnap agreeing to provide a 
boat, and constantly attend the ferry, taking only reasonable 
tolls, and to transport free the Trustees and officers of the College 
and their families. In April, 1783, Messrs. Marsh and Wood- 
ward conveyed all their interest in the Sargeant purchase to 

' Letter to J. Phillips, July 21, I773- 



650 History of Dartmouth College. 

their co-tenant, Aaron Storrs, and the College leased him the 
ferry for three years on the same terms as to Burnap, with the 
addition that Storrs paid an annual rent of £7 2s. 

In the Norwich records for March, 1783, we find the following: 

A letter from Capt. Storrs respecting the ferry was read, and the question 
thereupon put by Bezaleel Woodward to the meeting, whether the town will 
agree to sell the boat put in by the town to Capt. Storrs. It passed unani- 
mously in the negative. It was then voted that a committee be appointed 
to take the care of said boat and offer the Trustees of Dartmouth College 
to take half the privilege of the ferry, the town reserving the privilege of 
the other half to itself — as we wish to avoid future controversy respecting 
the same, and in case this proposition be declined by the Trustees the said 
committee are hereby desired and empowered to lease out said ferry and 
boat in such way as they may judge most beneficial to the town and public 
the ensuing season. 

At the same meeting it was 

Voted, that the said committee be also desired to treat with said trustees 
respecting the expediency of endeavoring to obtain a lottery for the purpose 
of erecting a bridge between this town and Dresden. 

Mr. Storrs, however, had the advantage, for we find Norwich 
a year or two later voting to look up their boat and dispose of it 
to the best advantage. 

In June, 1793, Captain Storrs sold the Sargeant property to 
Dr. Joseph Lewis, who had previously owned the grist mill on 
Blood brook, and who now moved in and took the ferry which he 
retained till a bridge was built in 1796. Besides the free trans- 
portation stipulated by the College, he was accustomed also to 
carry free those who took grist to his mill. The Sargeant place 
was occupied by his descendants to the third generation. 

The approaches to the ferry were not for many years formally 
laid out on either side. In 1778 the highway was laid from Nor- 
wich "to the ferry place near John Sargeant's". On the Hanover 
side the ancient cart path up the ravine from the landing developed 
into a highway without formal dedication. The high hills on 
each side were heavily wooded, and there was no gully between 
them, the road filled the entire ravine, not over forty feet wide, 
and the fallen trees lay thickly across overhead. The same road 
gave access to the meadows near the mouth of Mink brook, by 
a cart path along the bank of the river, skirting the high bluff, 
on a strip of meadow some three rods wide and in those days 
extending quite up to the ferry, of which every trace has since 
disappeared. 



The River. 651 

The unsightly gully that long gave so much trouble to the road 
began to appear within the memory of persons now living. It 
took its start from the cutting away of the growth along the sides 
of the ravine in 1826. This was done under the order of Gen. 
James Poole, to whom the land belonged. Preparatory to the 
building of the bridge, of which we are soon to speak, application 
was made by General Brewster and his associates to the select- 
men of Hanover, February 27, 1796, to lay out a road and proper 
allowance for abutments to accommodate it.^ The selectmen, 
Samuel Slade and Joseph Curtis, in reply certified their "opinion 
that the petitioners have the free use of the road that is now 
travelled from the College plain to the river for the purpose of 
erecting and using said bridge, and that they have free liberty to 
erect a butment in Hanover anywhere within twenty rods north 
of the usual place of coming to the river as the road now goes, in 
a way not to hinder the access to the river at or near where the 
road now goes for any persons who choose to go to the same to 
draw up timber or anything else." This, however, seems to 
have been unsatisfactory and in October, 1797 the selectmen of 
Hanover laid out in due form a highway four rods wide from the 
college plain to the northeast end of the bridge (then built), 
and an extension two rods wide running northerly from the main 
road on the east side of the toll house and thence by the path 
theretofore used as a pass-way to the river. The circuitous 
route was necessary as the end of the ravine had always been 
steep and cumbered with logs and bushes. 

The toll house, built under the vote of 1780, was a house of 
one story, standing just north of the present road, near the east 
end of the bridge, and the path to the river bank encircled it on 
the east and north, and reached the river below the present 
bridge. It was, we suppose, the same house that was destroyed 
by fire on that spot October 19, i860. 

Three other stated ferries were at different times operated 
under the college grant. One located about a mile above the 
village, at the mouth of the "Vale of Tempe," and just below 
"Girl Island," was known as "Rope Ferry," because the boat 
(probably unlike the others at the first) was attached to a rope 
stretched across the river. It is impossible to say when this 
ferry was first established. As it lay in direct line to the seat of 
Governor Peter Olcott and to the old Norwich meeting house on 
Goddard Hill (located in 1773), we cannot doubt that the ferry 

' Records of Hanover, N. H., p. 144. 



652 History oj Dartmouth College. 

was in use in some fashion during the period between 1776 and 
1783, when the Dresden committee had its headquarters at the 
College, and probably earlier still. The existing road from the 
ferry to the side of the old meeting house, near Governor Olcott's, 
is an ancient highway, located in 1773, begun in 1778 and finished 
in 1785, and first recorded in that year with mention of the Rope 
Ferry. The approach on the Hanover side, though in its upper 
portion disused, bears still the name (as of old) of the "Rope 
Ferry Road." We find it mentioned under that name in 1793. 
There is no record of its being laid out as a highway, though its 
character as such has been within the present generation judi- 
cially established. In 1798 the town voted that the owners of 
land on this road might erect a gate for one year. 

November 3, 1788, the Trustees leased the ferry right in that 
locality, covering the river lots 61 and 62, for twenty years to 
John Forbes of Hanover, and John Forbes, Jr., late of Marl- 
borough, Windham County, Vt., at a price to be annually settled 
by disinterested persons. Its utility in public estimation is 
evidenced by the persistence with which it was kept up after the 
bridge was built, and by the anxiety of the bridge proprietors to 
suppress it, evidenced in threats in 1799 and again as late as 1806, 
It is believed that the ferry was in use much more recently than 
that, but all definite memorials of it seem to have perished. 

At the confluence of the Pompanoosuc River there was, of 
course, a ferry of some sort from very early years. In 1785 the 
Trustees conveyed to Isaac Rogers, by lease for 999 years, for a 
quarter of the annual income, all their ferry rights in Hanover 
north of a large rock in the Connecticut, fifty rods below the lower 
end of the island near the mouth of the Pompanoosuc. There 
seem to have been some disagreement about the matter, similar 
perhaps to the case of Sargeant. We find the town of Hanover in 
1790, voting that Gideon Smith (who lived on the Hanover shore 
above the island) "have the approbation of the ferry. ")^ Rogers 
evidently held his ground, since the ferry was designated by his 
name as late as 1797, but he, as well as the town, was evidently 
restive under the college authority for in June, 1794, the same 
Isaac Rogers describing himself as of Hanover, having bought 
Gideon Smith's land on the river bank, presented the following 
petition to the General Court of New Hampshire: 

The petition of Isaac Rogers of Hanover etc. humbly sheweth that there 
is no public ferry kept over the river Connecticut from Brewster's ferry in 

' Records of Hanover, N. H., p. 90. 



The River. 653 

Lime, so-called, to the College ferry in the lower part of said Hanover, the 

distance of about nine miles; that there is about four miles of said river, 

opposite to the upper part of said Hanover, which remains ungranted; that 

your petitioner owning the land adjoining to said river within the aforesaid 

ungranted part, and where a ferry will be most convenient, he therefore prays 

that your Honors would grant to him his heirs and assigns the exclusive 

right of keeping a ferry over said river, from Lime for three miles down said 

river, and your petitioner as in duty etc. 

Isaac Rogers. 

Hanover, May 28, 1794. 

The subscribers selectmen of Hanover are satisfied that the facts stated 

in the within petition are true, that the said ferry will be a public benefit, 

are desirous the prayer of the within petition may be granted. 

Joseph Curtis \ „ , 

o c ( selectmen. 

Samuel Slade J 

Before 1804 this ferry passed into the hands of Timothy Bush, 
who Hved on the Norwich side below the island (as we suppose) 
and to his son, John. The ferry and the island were both called 
by their name. 

John Bush was graduated at Dartmouth in 1789, and in 1809 
was keeping a tavern on Hanover plain. The ferry had before 
this reverted to the College, and for some reason had been sus- 
pended. In August, 1807, petition was made to the Trustees by 
John Fairfield and thirty-seven others to re-establish it, which 
was denied. But local convenience has ever since induced at 
times the maintenance, at a point a quarter of a mile above the 
mouth of the Pompanoosuc River, of some sort of facilities for 
crossing. July i, 1831, by consent of the College, a charter for 
a toll bridge near this point (in Hanover north of a point one mile 
south of the Pompanoosuc) was obtained from the New Hamp- 
shire legislature on petition of William Sweat and sixty-three 
others, to be built in four years, but it was never utilized. 

The actual location of the ferry has varied at different times. 
At one time it is supposed to have been just below the island, at 
another immediately opposite the present railroad station, and 
more recently about a quarter of a mile higher up. Another 
point where the popular convenience has indicated a crossing is 
at the house of Timothy Smith, a mile or two below the Pom- 
panoosuc, where a winter road has been often used upon the ice. 
Inhabitants of Norwich and Thetford in January, 1837, petitioned 
the selectmen of Hanover to lay a highway from Timothy Smith's 
to the river, free from gates or bars, in the most convenient place 
for crossing. About that time a ferry was operated there for 



654 History of Dartmouth College. 

some years by a Mr. Cummings, succeeding others before him, 
but it never was very prosperous. A trial was made here of 
running the boat on a wire so that by detaching either end of the 
boat it would swing at an angle to the stream and be pushed across 
by the current, but this method proved troublesome and was 
abandoned. Aside from this, at neither of the upper ferries, 
was any contrivance of that kind regularly used, but the boats 
were propelled and guided by setting poles in primitive fashion. 

The charter of June 20, 1792, before mentioned, authorized 
Ebenezer Brewster, Aaron Hutchinson and Rufus Graves, among 
other things, to build within four years a toll bridge across the 
Connecticut River. The limits of location, which the under- 
takers wished to have cover the entire fronts of the towns of 
Lebanon and Hanover, were restricted by the legislature to the 
space between the eddy at the lower bar of White River falls and 
the mouth of Mink brook subject, of course, to the ferry rights 
formerly granted to the College. 

This feature of the charter was induced by the recent opening 
in 1787, by act of the legislature, of the State road from Boscawen 
to the College, and by the renewed activity in the project of 
building a route from the eastward to Lake Champlain. The 
original plan was to locate the bridge, in connection with con- 
templated improvements of navigation, at the narrows at the 
foot of the middle bar, a spot that had been by common agree- 
ment long since set apart for that object, but the inconvenience 
of that location and the probability of its being quite out of the 
line of travel became so apparent that an extension of the fran- 
chise was secured January 21 , 1794, so as to cover the Connecticut 
from the mouth of the White River to a point two miles north of 
Mink brook. This was fortified by a similar act from the Ver- 
mont legislature, October 2, 1795, and in 1796 the "White River 
Falls Bridge" was built on the spot where our free bridge now 
stands. 

A petition was made to the legislature the same year for the 
incorporation of a turnpike from the Merrimac River to Hanover, 
and a favorable answer was confidently expected at the next 
session. The relative importance which Hanover, owing to the 
College, at that time enjoyed, is well evinced by the location of 
the bridge here, notwithstanding one of the three corporators was 
resident near the river in Lebanon, and the face of the land 
pointed inevitably to the valley of the White River as the most 
available route for the expected thoroughfare in Vermont. 



The River. 655 

The College took every means to encourage the building of 
the bridge at Hanover. It subscribed for several shares of the 
stock and, April 15, 1797, leased to the corporation, for 999 years, 
at an annual rent of $50, all the privileges of a ferry between the 
Lebanon line and the southern limit of Rogers ferry, described 
as a large rock in the river about forty rods below Bush's island. 
This lease was subject to forfeiture if a bridge should be wanting 
or disused for the space of two years. 

Notwithstanding the evident utility of a bridge in preference 
to a ferry, there was in other quarters serious opposition to the 
project as it was then presented. Dr. Lewis still had the ferry, 
and carried the patrons of his mill free; more than half the mem- 
bers of the College church lived in Vermont, and enjoyed like 
exemption in going to meeting. The bridge seemed likely not 
only to curtail this freedom but even to obstruct the approaches 
so as to prevent the use of the ice road in winter. The easterly 
abutment as it turned out did in fact stand squarely across the 
old road by the landing. 

The town of Norwich was also decidedly hostile. It voted in 
March, 1796, unanimously for a free bridge, appointed a commit- 
tee to solicit subscriptions for that purpose, and to apply to the 
selectmen of Hanover to lay out a highway to accommodate the 
abutment, but it declared outright for a ferry in preference to a 
toll bridge. 

The bridge proprietors finding it essential to disarm the opposi- 
tion, and allay the prevalent apprehensions, made a formal 
pledge to the public, recorded at length in the town records of 
Norwich, signed by the proprietors, and dated March 10, 1796: 

The Bridge Company to the Public: 

To all persons to whom it may come, greeting. 

The subscribers assure you that it never has been our intention to obstruct 
the passing of Connecticut River near Doct. Lewis' by any bridge we may 
erect, and that we never shall obstruct the same, but every person shall ever 
have liberty to pass by water or on the ice in the same manner as they now do, 
and no road to the river shall ever be obstructed by us. 

They also entered into agreement under seal, dated May 10, 
1796, with Elisha Benton, Joseph Hatch and Roswell Olcott, 
acting for the body of the people, that the bridge should be open 
toll free on Sabbath as long as it should stand, for the people of 
Norwich, Hanover and Hartford and their friends and com- 
panies to pass to meeting; and that for four years it should be 
open toll free during an average period of three months in every 
year, when there should be passing on the ice, and snow on the 



656 History of Dartmouth College. 

bridge; all in consideration that the erection of the bridge should 
not be further impeded. This contract was recorded at length 
on the Norwich town records. Doctor Lewis shared in the reluc- 
tance to have a toll bridge, though desirous of a free one. He 
secured that privilege as far as he was concerned by refusing to 
sell the land needed for the western approach, but leased it to 
the company upon condition of free passage for himself and 
family. The fears of the opposition, allayed for the time by 
these pledges, were fully justified by the sequel. 

Mr. Graves was himself the architect and superintendent of 
construction. He was also the financier, and with this added to 
his mercantile business became hopelessly involved and insolvent. 

In August, 1796, he sought support for the enterprise in Boston, 
where he disposed of a large share of the stock to prominent 
merchants, who entertained large hopes of trade by the routes 
in which it formed a link. So sanguine were the proprietors 
themselves that they guaranteed these gentlemen a return of 
eight or nine per cent a year for the first three years, and confi- 
dently predicted ten to twenty per cent thereafter.^ The delay 
in the completion of the turnpikes, if nothing else, rendered these 
hopes visionary. The stock of the corporation consisted of two 
hundred shares upon which a first assessment of $60 was laid in 
January, 1797, and two or three very small amounts later; so 
that the total cost of the structure was upward of $13,000. The 
bridge was opened to travel in the fall of 1796, though not 
yet quite finished, and on December 8 the New Hampshire 
legislature passed an act to increase the tolls, reciting that a 
bridge had been erected that year at a cost "far exceeding" the 
calculations. ^ 

'See Appends G., Circular of R. Graves. 
* Following were the tolls thus allowed: 

Foot passenger 2 cents. 

Horse and rider S 

Horse-chaise, chair or sulkey 12^ 

Sleigh drawn by one beast 8 

Sleigh drawn by more than one beast 12J 

Coach, phaeton, chariot or other four wheeled carriage for passengers 30 

Curricle 25 

Cart or other wheeled carriage of burden drawn by one beast 8 

by two beasts 15 

" by three beasts 20 

" by four beasts 25 

for every additional beast above four 4 

Sled drawn by one beast 5 

by two beasts 10 

by three beasts 20 

for ever additional beast 4 

Horse, mule or jack exclusive of those rode on 3 

Each neat creature not in a team 2 

Each sheep or swine i 



The River. 657 

The bridge was, indeed, a wonderful structure, and excited 
widespread interest. It consisted essentially of a single span of 
236 feet chord, arched to such a degree that the roadway at the 
center of the bridge was about twenty feet higher than at the 
ends, presenting thus a sharp ascent on entering, and a corre- 
sponding downward pitch on leaving. Mr. William W. Dewey, 
who records these particulars, styles it a "noble structure." 
It was built of the largest selected pines, sixty feet long, many of 
them hewed eighteen inches square. Mr. Dewey tells us that 
his father. Deacon Benoni Dewey, furnished for it twenty such 
trees at one dollar each, which sixty years later would have read- 
ily brought from $150 to $200 each. President Dwight remarked 
this bridge with admiration on his journey in 1797. He tells 
us that its entire length was 344 feet, its width thirty-six feet, 
and its stone abutments forty feet square. It arch, he says, was 
a copy of the arch of the Piscataqua bridge, and, excepting that, 
the longest of New England.^ A drawing of the Hanover bridge 
was preserved until modern times but is now lost.* 

It is not surprising that a bridge constructed like this soon 
came to grief. It fell by its own weight in 1804, the same year 
in which the turnpike at last reached it. President Dwight 
says one of the piers was undermined by the stream. No one 
was injured by the fall, though a team bearing a messenger for 
the doctor barely escaped. Steps were taken by the proprietors 
in January, 1805, to raise a subscription, and make other arrange- 
ments to rebuild. The subscription seems not to have proved a 
success, but on February 9, 1805, a contract was made with Cal- 
vin Palmer, Stephen W. Palmer and Reuben Dickinson to build 
a bridge according to a plan exhibited by said Palmer, twenty 
feet wide within the rails and crowning in the center. It was to 
be completed by the last day of October, and "of such strength 
as to last till timbers rot," a stipulation of which experience had 
taught the need. It was finished the same year and opened to 
travel on Tuesday, November 26, 1805. 

Its cost was about $2,600 raised by assessment upon the pro- 

» D wight's Travels, II, 117. 

> This was the second bridge that ever spanned the Connecticut. The first was built at Bel- 
lows Falls in 1785 by Col. Enoch Hale, at a cost of £800. L. M., which ruined him, and was 
opened to travel in 1792. The bridge at West Lebanon, just above the mouth of White River, 
was built under this charter in 1804 by Elias Lyman, who bought the franchise from the incor- 
porators for I300, to accommodate the travel on the main line of the fourth New Hampshire 
turnpike. The completion of the bridge was announced February i, 1805. {Dartmouth 
Gazette, February i, 1805.) It was a king-post structure and stood till 1835- It was replaced 
in the next year by the covered wooden bridge which gave way in 1895 to the present free iron 
bridge, that was opened to traffic in March, 1896. (Tucker's History of Hartford, Vt., p. 145.) 
43 



658 History oj Dartmouth College. 

prietors. It rested in the center on a pier thirty feet square at 
the top, built by Reuben Dickinson, which was considered in its 
day a marvel of substantial construction, and which remained 
till 1859, when it was razeed to the surface of the water and now 
serves as the foundation of the present pier. Notwithstanding 
the stringent provisions of the contract the new bridge within 
two years called loudly for repairs. In May, 1823, it was declared 
by the proprietors to be in such a ruinous state that it could not 
any longer be economically repaired. It was, however, repaired 
the same year at a cost of $1,800, and survived sixteen years 
more, till 1839, when it was entirely rebuilt (excepting the stone 
work) at a cost of about $3,000. It was completed to the full 
satisfaction of the proprietors, under a specific contract, within 
100 days by Stephen W. Palmer, one of the contractors, doubt- 
less, for the preceding bridge. It was accepted by the proprie- 
tors January 20, 1840, and $100 extra compensation voted to 
the contractor as a token of their satisfaction. This bridge 
stood about fifteen years. It was open like its predecessors, 
having a parapet on each side about four feet high broken by tall 
heavy timbers connected by cross pieces. 

These bridges of 1805 and 1839 are understood to have been 
of about the same length as the first one. Both were at any rate 
much shorter than our present bridge, the abutments on either 
shore were near to the water, and the middle pier was about 
twice the width of the present one, so that the stream was greatly 
contracted and in high water the bridge was often endangered. 

The gate was at the eastern end and the toll gatherer subse- 
quent to 1847 was one Samuel T. Cutler, who had a little shop 
for cabinet work just at the end of the bridge. He was assisted 
by his son, Samuel. Both were skillful mechanics. The bridge 
being open was a favorite post of observation especially in times 
of high water and of moving ice. It was Mr. Cutler's habit to 
allow all, who wished, to enter it and remain, without charge, but 
if only a foot were allowed to rest on the ground at the Norwich 
side toll must be paid. He would spend hours watching the 
loungers to detect any infraction of his rule; of course the stu- 
dents kept him busy, and their relations to one another were not 
always happy. 

The promises made by the proprietors to the people of the 
towns of Hanover and Norwich were not always faithfully kept, 
and were a constant cause of friction. In March, 1804, a special 
meeting was held to see if the road under the bridge should be 



The River. 659 

discontinued, and again in 18 13 the proprietors made an unsuc- 
cessful application for its discontinuance. The standing dis- 
satisfaction with the management of the bridge is shown by the 
following petition taken from the Hanover files of 1819: 

Norwich, Feb. loth, 18 19. 
We the subscribers Inhabitants of Norwich in Windsor County and State 
of Vermont, make this our petition to the Selectmen of Hanover in the State 
of New Hampshire that the said Selectmen if they should deem it expedient 
would appoint or take measures to appoint a committee to meet a committee 
from Norwich and confer upon the interests of the Inhabitants of Norwich and 
Hanover passing the bridge over Connecticut River called the White River 
falls bridge near Doct'. J. Lewis, and that said committees may meet the direc- 
tors of s<« Bridge or a committee of said directors and see if they can enter into 
any agreement with them for the terms of said Inhabitants and others in like 
local situation passing the bridge upon some more favorable terms than those 
now adopted and in force by said directors. Also pray said Selectmen will 
take measures to open and keep in repair a road from the turnpike to the waters 
of Connecticut river on the east side of the same. 

Waterman Ensworth and thirty one others. 

In January of the same year the bridge company, being in 
arrears for two years' rent to the College, voted not to pay the 
$100 due the "Literary Institution," nor any dividends on its 
stock till the litigation over the state acts should be decided. 

In 1830 the proprietors voted indefinitely to postpone a peti- 
tion of David Newton and others for liberty to cross the bridge 
free at certain seasons of the year. The general Sabbath privi- 
lege was discontinued, doubtless at the destruction of the first 
bridge, but it was renewed in 1824 in favor of the clergymen of 
Hanover and Norwich. In early times all residents of the con- 
tiguous towns were privileged to pass free in the winter, and at 
half toll at all other seasons. In March, 1852, the proprietors 
adopted a less conciliatory policy and voted to exact full tolls at 
all seasons. The bridge having in the meantime fallen into a 
precarious state, a bridge builder was called in that year to 
estimate for repairs, and declared it not worth repairing. The 
people, of course, made the most of this condition of things. 
Three of the owners happening one day to be riding over the 
bridge in the coach which ran to the cars, the driver, out of 
mischief, put his horses to speed so that the vibrations of the 
bridge alarmed the passengers, one of whom remonstrated, but 
the driver replied that there was no danger for he had the owners 
aboard. 

The action of the proprietors in raising the tolls and reducing 



66o History of Dartmouth College. 

the privileges aroused great indignation throughout both com- 
munities. Meetings were held and arrangements made the 
following fall to reopen for winter use the old road to the river 
bank, which had been obstructed and fenced up by the bridge 
company. The proprietors met this movement by threatening 
suits and prosecutions, and the citizens to avoid any such com- 
plications, by permission of the land owners, constructed a path 
down the gully along its southern slope, which gave access to the 
river and took, of course, the entire travel so long as the ice 
lasted. The proprietors took great offence at this action, and 
renewed their threats, particularly against Dr. Dixi Crosby and 
Professor Sanborn who were specially prominent in the move- 
ment. In January, 1854, Professor Sanborn being at Woodstock 
to deliver a lecture, was arrested at the suit of the bridge company 
while walking with ladies in the streets of that village. This 
ill-advised act of the proprietors intensified the hostile feeling, 
and methods began to be seriously discussed for ridding the com- 
munity of the burden, by action of the town authorities. 

As usual, however, the special interests of the village commu- 
nity met scanty recognition in the eastern section of the town, and 
no progress was made. The bridge company saw that they had 
made a mistake, and withdrew their suit against Professor San- 
born, but yielded nothing on the main points at issue. In the 
following August, toward morning of the night of Sunday, the 
6th, the bridge was destroyed by fire, much to the joy of the com- 
munity. The cause of the fire was never determined, though an 
incendiary origin was naturally suspected, and the proprietors 
in the existing state of feeling dared not attempt to rebuild. 
Boats were put on the river by the bridge company and for nearly 
five years the public was remitted to the primitive and dangerous 
service of a ferry. Two boats were used, a small wherry for 
foot passengers, and a large fiat boat, capable of holding several 
teams at once, which was pulled by hand along a rope stretched 
across the river. The old highway was of necessity reopened, 
and the winter of course gave free passage to all upon the ice. 
The same rates of toll were exacted as had been taken at the 
bridge. Mr. Kibling undertook to run a ferry on his own account 
but was forbidden by the company. 

The question of a free bridge soon began to be agitated. An 
application had been contemplated the previous year to the 
selectmen of the town to lay out a public highway over the river 
to the Vermont shore, involving, of course, the construction of a 



The River. 66l 

free bridge, and the extinction of the old franchise. The destruc- 
tion of the bridge brought the matter to a crisis and in 1855 a 
petition of that sort was promoted. It encountered bitter opposi- 
tion, not only from the bridge company, but from the easterly 
section of the town, which at that time predominated in town 
counsels. The selectmen denied the petition but the leaders in 
the matter were of stuff that is not easily discouraged, and a 
petition headed by Dixi Crosby was presented to the Court of 
Common Pleas at its October term, 1855, laid over until April, 
and then in the usual course of business referred to the Commis- 
sioners of the County, D. C. Churchill, O. F. Fowler and John 
Sargent, who after two sessions of four days each in August and 
September, laid out a highway over the river at the point where 
the bridge had stood. They awarded damages of $1,500 to the 
bridge company, and $833.33 ^o the Trustees of Dartmouth Col- 
lege for its ferry rights. 

But opposition did not even then cease, as the town joined 
hands with the company. Exceptions were taken by Harry 
Hibbard for the town, and by Mr. Blaisdell for the company, on 
fifteen points, which were argued before the Supreme Court in 
June, 1857, and all overruled with a single exception relating to 
a minor matter of detail, open to correction. 

Having expended about $1,000 in the controversy, most of the 
parties were now in a frame of mind to yield, as gracefully as they 
might, but many residents of the eastern section of the town were 
still firm in opposition; hostile feelings had grown up, personal 
rancor was exceedingly bitter, and it seemed impossible that 
harmony should be restored. However, a meeting of the town 
was called for November 19, 1858, to consider the matter. The 
store at Mill Village, now Etna, was then as now the forum where 
all such matters passed under discussion of the village conclave, 
and the great interest attaching to this subject brought a daily 
concourse that filled the store. Just before the time set for the 
town meeting it happened that President Lord, as he was driving 
one day by the store, stopped in the most casual way to make 
some small purchase, at an hour when the store was full, and after 
attending to his ostensible business, entered into friendly con- 
versation on general matters, as v/as his wont, with such of his 
acquaintances as chanced to be there. Of course some of them 
soon broached the subject nearest their hearts and loudly com- 
plained of the hostile and selfish attitude of the people of the Col- 
lege Plain. Professor Sanborn had incurred their special hostility 



662 History of Dartmouth College. 

by some sharp sayings. Dr. Lord laughed and said, "You all 
know him, he is a good man and a kind hearted man, his bark is 
a great deal worse than his bite," and hearing them all through 
quietly, in his courteous, kindly way, explained and reasoned 
and laughed with them, till their irritation subsided, misunder- 
standings were cleared away, and good nature revived. He 
spent several hours in that way, and nobody ever knew that his 
visit was not the merest accident in the world, nor did any one 
but the shrewd storekeeper ^ then suspect it, but it was very 
timely, and very efficacious. When the town met, a proposition 
for an amicable adjustment met ready acceptance, and a com- 
mittee was appointed, Isaac Ross, Isaac Fellows and E. T. Miller, 
which made a report at an adjourned meeting. The College 
waived its damages and presented its ferry rights, at the valuation 
of the commissioners, to the town upon a nominal rent, con- 
tioned upon the perpetual maintenance of the free bridge. The 
bridge company withdrew opposition, and the citizens of the 
College Plain subscribed toward the cost of the bridge $833, 
the same amount presented by the College. The town built 
the bridge accordingly, at a cost of about $6,000. It was com- 
pleted in June, 1859. 

It is a covered bridge 402 feet in length, of which eighty feet 
at its western end, located in the jurisdiction of Vermont, were 
built by the town of Norwich. It enjoys the distinction of being 
the first free bridge over the Connecticut River, and for many 
years it was the only one. The occasion of its completion seemed 
to demand some special recognition, and on the first day of July, 
i859» a large and highly respectable audience from both sides 
of the river gathered in the College church to celebrate it. Dr. 
Dixi Crosby presided. Professor Sanborn delivered an historical 
oration upon bridges, and several happy speeches were made. 
The bridge at that time received the name of "Ledyard Free 
Bridge, " from the circumstance of its location near the spot where 
the tree was cut, out of which Ledyard fashioned his canoe when 
he set out on his travels. The prophecy made at that time that 
the existing generation would see the Connecticut in its whole 
length free while not entirely fulfilled, has so far been true that 
the majority of the bridges are now free, and all new ones are of 
that kind. 

» N. S. Huntington, who gave the above account. 



Railroads. $63 



RAILROADS. 



The turnpike craze (if such it may be called) lasted from about 
1796 to i8io. Hardly had the roads then chartered and built 
with the private funds of the stockholders been put into opera- 
tion, when the toll gates and toll gatherers began to be hateful 
to the people, and their eagerness was turned from obtaining the 
roads to getting rid of paying for the use of them, though, as was 
perhaps natural, this spirit was more rife along the lower part 
of the route, where fewer shares were held. 

The subject of railroads began to be discussed in New England 
about 1830. The Boston and Lowell, one of the earliest in the 
country was chartered in 1832, and while that charter was under 
consideration the General Court of New Hampshire, at its No- 
vember session in 1832, granted a charter to a connecting line 
under the style of the "Boston and Ontario Railroad," whose 
course was described as "commencing at any point on the south- 
erly line of the State, in or near the town of Dunstable, and run- 
ning northwesterly and westerly to the westerly line of the State, 
on Connecticut river." It was conditioned on being organized 
by September i, 1835, and being completed within five years 
from that date. 

The people of the State, and especially the Democratic party 
then in the ascendency, were traditionally hostile to corporations, 
and charters were sparingly conceded and hedged with stringent 
limitations. But in June, 1835, a charter was granted to the 
Nashua and Lowell railroad, and four days later to the Concord 
railroad, with Isaac Hill as the first corporator, and to the Boston 
and Maine railroad, and in June of 1836 to the Eastern railroad. 

In 1837 Amos A. Brewster of Hanover, then a Democratic 
member of the legislature, with associates largely from Lebanon 
obtained a charter for a railroad from Concord to the west bank 
of the Connecticut River in Lebanon, near the mouth of the 
White River under the name of the "Concord and Lebanon 
Railroad." The idea at that time was that the railroad should 
be a sort of turnpike with toll houses and gates for the collection 
of tolls from persons using it. Power was specially given the 
corporation to regulate "the construction of wheels, the form of 
cars and carriages, the weight of loads, and all other matters 
and things relative to the use of the road . . and the 



664 History of Dartmouth College. 

road may be used by any person who may com.ply with such regu- 
lations." The lack of confidence actually reposed in the new 
methods is shown by additional acts passed at this very time for 
the improvement of navigation on the Merrimac. 

At the same time interest in railroads was developing in the 
valley of the Connecticut and came into such prominence very 
soon after the failure of the navigation scheme that on November 
10, 1835, the legislature of Vermont chartered the "Connecticut 
and Passumpsic Rivers Railroad Company," and on the 20th of 
the following January a convention of over one hundred and 
fifty members from towns between Brattleboro and Newport, 
Vt., with some from Springfield, Mass., Hartford, Conn., and 
Newport, R. I., assembled at Windsor, Vt., "to take preliminary 
measures for the construction of a railroad through the valleys 
of the Connecticut and Passumpsic Rivers to the St. Lawrence," 
but neither Hanover nor Lebanon was represented. The result 
was an appropriation at the next session of the Vermont legis- 
lature in November, 1836, of $3,000 for a preliminary survey the 
whole length of the State. Under this an engineer, Alexander 
C. Twining of Connecticut, was employed, and in company with 
Erastus Fairbanks of St. Johnsbury, and John C. Holbrook of 
Brattleboro, commissioners on the part of Vermont, made a 
general reconnaisance, in May, 1837, from the Massachusetts 
to the Canada line, and two surveying parties were put into the 
field and in fifty days completed the work over a distance of 209 
miles. The surveys made and published ten years before for 
the canals were now utilized for the railroad. 

But the railroad era for this region did not fairly set in before 
1844. The Boston and Lowell was opened to traffic in 1835, 
the Nashua in 1838, and the Concord in 1842, In 1844 their 
stocks were held at a premium of twenty to thirty per cent,^ and 
agitation for the extension of the system northward was renewed 
with increased fervor. Into this agitation Professor Haddock 
and other Hanover gentlemen heartily entered. The citizens 
of Lebanon were also very active. A line from Concord to Frank- 
lin had been surveyed in October, 1842, and at a railroad meeting 
held at Lebanon October 10, 1843, of w^hich Elijah Blaisdell of 
Lebanon w^as president and William Kendrick of Lebanon and 
William H. Duncan of Hanover were secretaries, it was agreed 
to continue the preliminary survey to Lebanon, and this was 
done during the next seven weeks. The result was published 

> Professor Haddock's Montpelier Addresi, p. 19. 



Railroads. 665 

early in 1844 and widely circulated in pamphlet form with map 
and profile. 

Two different routes were urged by other parties. One of 
these (called the southern) was the same since covered by the 
Concord and Claremont road, with an alternative variation 
diverging from Sunapee Lake to Enfield Pond and Lebanon, and 
the other (known as the middle route) kept the present line of 
the northern road from Lebanon to Andover and then leaving 
Franklin to the left reached Concord by the valleys of the Black- 
water and the Contoocook Rivers, thus saving certain heavy 
grades and shortening the distance about five miles. The route 
by Franklin was finally adopted, partly for the sake of the busi- 
ness expected from that town, and partly in consequence of the 
adroit management of the Franklin interests under the lead of 
Hon. G. W. Nesmith. 

Interest in the project was diligently promoted by public meet- 
ings in various quarters. A convention in Montpelier January 
8, 1844, was entertained with a persuasive and interesting address 
from Professor Haddock. In June the New Hampshire legisla- 
ture granted a charter for the "Northern Railroad" to corpora- 
tors, among whom were Amos A. Brewster of Hanover, and 
others of the old "Concord and Lebanon" charter, substantially 
in the form of that act. The route indicated was from Concord 
or Bow to the Connecticut at some point between Haverhill and 
Charlestown. 

The illiberal narrowness of the legislative grants, and certain 
strange ideas upon the law of rights of way frightened away 
capital and seemed likely to prevent all beneficial use of the 
franchise. It was the doctrine of the dominant party, of which 
Mr. Baker, a lawyer who had represented the town of Hills- 
borough for a number of years prior to 1844, was a leading cham- 
pion in the legislature, that railroad charters were merely of a 
private nature, and did not represent the interests of the public 
generally; hence the right to take land for the use of the road 
except by agreement with the owner, was denied. This doc- 
trine was enforced when the Concord and lower roads were 
built, and caused, of course, no end of litigation and doubt, es- 
pecially in cases of unsettled title. The subject, therefore, caused 
great debate in connection with the new roads, and in 1844 peti- 
tions began to pour into the legislature from all parts of the 
State north of Concord, where the doctrine was depriving the 
people of the hope of railroad facilities, and the leading Demo- 



666 History of Dartmouth College. 

crats became alarmed. Isaac Hill opened the column of the 
Patriot in favor of the right to take land on the ground that rail- 
roads were of public necessity, and at the fall session the party 
leaders, Judge N. G. Upham, Charles H. Peaslee, member of 
Congress, Judge Levi Woodbury, and Hon. H. Hubbard of 
Charlestown, convened at Goss's hotel to devise some way to 
meet the public urgency for a more liberal policy. The result 
was the act of December 25, 1844, which established a machin- 
ery of condemnation that, though ostensibly in favor of the 
public, secured to the railroad company by the form of a lease 
in perpetuity from the State the necessary land and right of way. 

Two days later the charter of the Northern railroad was re- 
enacted to meet the new conditions in a form reported by Pro- 
fessor Haddock from the road committee in the House. Mr. 
Haddock himself, with Daniel Blaisdell and William H. Duncan 
were named among the corporators and the western terminus 
was fixed in the town of Lebanon. The charter was liberalized 
also in other parts; that of June having been drawn upon the 
old turnpike idea, while that of December struck more upon 
modern lines. On the same date in December were passed simi- 
lar charters for the Boston, Concord and Montreal, the Cheshire, 
the Ashuelot and the Wilton railroads. The change of sentiment 
was plainly evident, but the old jealousy was still disclosed in 
stringent general laws of regulation and has not yet ceased to 
influence the relations between the State and the corporations. 

The difficulties being thus measurably removed, agitation for 
the building of the Northern road was forthwith actively pros- 
ecuted and on January 21, 1845, a notable convention was 
held at Lebanon, where Col. Truman Ransom of Norwich made 
a very effective speech, and in May a pamphlet "Address" was 
issued "by the Northern Railroad Company to the friends of 
internal improvement in New Hampshire," written by Pro- 
fessor Haddock and setting forth in the most vivid language 
the advantages of the contemplated system of transportation, 
which had no small influence among the people in securing sub- 
scriptions to the stock. To indicate the directness of the route 
it was shown that a straight line drawn on the map from Boston 
to Burlington touches this route in Lebanon and is nowhere 
more than fifteen miles from it; that between Concord and Bur- 
lington the route was never more than eight miles from the 
straight course, and that a straight line from Boston to Montreal 
touches this route at eight places, among which were Lowell, 



Railroads. 667 

Reeds Ferry (near Concord), Lebanon and Montpelier. The 
stock was taken with alacrity in small lots by the people all along 
the line, and it is worthy of remark that very much of it remains 
to this day in the hands of the descendants of the original 
subscribers. 

The road was opened to Franklin January i, to Canaan Sep- 
tember I, and to Lebanon November 17, 1847. At Franklin 
and at Lebanon the occasion was celebrated by a grand dinner, 
a large concourse of people and speeches, the principal address 
at the latter place being made by Daniel Webster. 

But the Northern road was only a link in the grand chain then 
actively projected. It was intended to reach Montreal by two 
routes which were described as twin branches of the Northern 
road, one following the White River and the other the Connec- 
ticut. As in New Hampshire, so in Vermont, railroad activity 
had, after the first heat, slumbered nearly ten years. In 1843 
it began to revive and October 31, 1843, a charter was granted 
for the "Vermont Central Railroad" from Lake Champlain 
by the Onion River to the Connecticut at the most convenient 
point to meet a railroad "either from Concord, N. H., or Fitch- 
burg, Mass., ... to transport passengers and property 
by the power of steam, or otherwise." It will be noticed that 
the Vermont ideas as to the function of a railroad corporation 
were in advance of those of the New Hampshire legislature. 

A southern line from Burlington to the Connecticut through 
Addison, Rutland and Windsor or Windham counties, under the 
name of the "Lake Champlain and Connecticut River Railroad" 
was chartered on the same day. The Vermont and Canada 
railroad received a charter October 31, 1845, and on November 
5, 1845, the old Connecticut and Passumpsic charter was divided 
into two corporations whose territory separated at the mouth of 
the White River, the northern section retaining the old name, 
and the southern taking the style of "Connecticut River Rail- 
road." ^ 

The second proposed route to Montreal was to be on the New 
Hampshire side of the Connecticut from the line of the Northern 
railroad as far at least as the mouth of the Ammonoosuc. For 
this two routes were feasible and both were earnestly advocated; 

1 Work on the Vermont Central was pushed as rapidly as possible to make connection with 
the Northern railroad. The first ground was broken at Windsor December is. 1845- The 
first rail was laid at White River Junction early in 1847; the first regular passenger train wai 
run from that place to Bethel June 26, 1848, and the road opened to Burlington June ao, 1849. 
(Tucker's History of Hartford, Vt., p. 155.] 



668 History of Dartmouth College. 

one, known as the "Goose Pond route," would leave the main 
line at Canaan and cross the northeast corner of Hanover sub- 
stantially by the course of the old Grafton turnpike, while the 
other would follow the eastern bank, of the river, passing, of 
course, near the College. In furtherance of this latter plan, a 
tentative survey was made for the location of the main line of 
the Northern to a crossing of the Connecticut at Hanover by the 
course, formerly recommended for the turnpike, through the 
valley northeast of Lebanon Center village, and down the valley 
of Mink brook. This was reported as offering over the Lebanon 
route considerable advantage of easier grades and cheaper cross- 
ing of the Connecticut, but as not so convenient to the probable 
route of Vermont connection, which was expected to be by the 
valley of the White River. 

Public agitation for this feature of the system on New Hamp- 
shire soil was organized by a convention at Carlton's Hotel in 
Orford February 7, 1845, which was largely attended from towns 
on both sides of the river. It met, of course, opposition from 
the promoters of the Boston, Concord and Montreal route, which 
was surveyed between February and July, and chartered in 
December of 1844, and was not encouraged by the Northern 
road, which, not realizing the great advantages that would ulti- 
mately be derived from a route wholly in New Hampshire and 
both shorter and easier than any other route that could be lo- 
cated, feared that it might be deprived of some of its traffic for 
the eighteen miles between Canaan and the river. The result 
was that the most persistent efforts, in which Hanover people 
were particularly interested, were unavailing to obtain from 
the New Hampshire legislature the requisite charter, and the 
road was forced to the Vermont side of the river, where more 
enlightened counsels for the moment prevailed. 

The company under the second Vermont charter was organized 
January 15, 1846, with Erastus Fairbanks of St. Johnsbury as 
president, and after a final survey begun in April entered upon 
construction on the seventh of the next September. The first 
rail was laid July 15, 1847, and on October 10 the road was 
opened and the first passenger train run to Bradford. In another 
month the road was opened to Wells River and in 1852 to St. 
Johnsbury. Its extension to Newport was not completed till 
1863, and its connection with the Grank Trunk at Lenoxville, 
by the Massawippi Valley road, was delayed till 1870.* 

' Tucker's History of Hartford, Vt., p. i6o. 



APPENDIX. 



6«9 



APPENDIX A. 



MEMORIAL. 

The Honorable Senate, and House of Representatives, 
IN General Court convened. 

Honorable Legislators: 

The citizens of New Hampshire enjoy security and peace 
under your wise laws; prosperity in productive labors by means 
which you have adopted ; and, by your counsels, increasing knowl- 
edge in the establishment of literature through the State. But, 
for none of these, can so much be ascribed to your attention, as 
for Dartmouth College. By your patronage and munificence 
it was flourishing in former years; and so it still would have 
continued, had the management of its concerns been adapted 
to answer the designs of your wisdom, and the hopes of its most 
enlightened and virtuous friends. 

To your honorable Body, whose guardian care encircles the 
Institutions of the State, it becomes incumbent on the citizen 
to make known any change in their condition, and relations, 
interesting to the public good: — To you, alone, whose power 
extends to correct, or reform their abuses, ought he to apply, 
when they cease to promote the end of their establishment — the 
social order and happiness. Gladly would the offerer of this 
humble address, avoiding to trouble your counsels, have locked 
up his voice in perpetual silence, while the evils are rolling on 
and accumulating, were he not otherwise compelled by a sense 
of duty to your Legislature, and to the best interests of man- 
kind, in the present and future times. 

Will you permit him to suggest there is reason to fear, that 
those who hold in trust the concerns of this Seminary, have for- 
saken its original principles, and left the path of their predecessors. 
It is unnecessary to relate how the evil commenced in its embryo 
state; by what means and practices, they, thus deviating, have 
in recent years, with the same object in view, increased their 
number to a majority controlling the measures of the Board: but 
more important is it to lay before you, that there are serious 

671 



672 Appendix. 

grounds to excite apprehensions of the great impropriety and 
dangerous tendency of their proceedings; reasons to believe, 
that they have appUed property to purposes wholly alien from 
the intentions of the donors, and under peculiar circumstances to 
excite regret: that they have in the series of their movements, 
to promote party views, transformed the moral an,d religious 
order of the institution by depriving many of their innocent 
enjoyment of rights and privileges, for which they had confided 
in their faith — that they have broken down the barriers and vio- 
lated the charter, by prostrating the rights, with which it ex- 
pressly invests the presidential office — that to subserve their 
purposes, they have adopted improper methods in their appoint- 
ments of executive officers, naturally tending to embarrass, and 
obstruct the harmonious government, and instruction of the 
Seminary; — that they have extended their powers, which the 
charter confines to the College, to form connexion with an acad- 
emy, in exclusion of the other academies in the State, cementing 
an alliance with its overseers, and furnishing aid from the college 
treasury for their students; — that they have perverted the power, 
which, by the incorporation, they ought to exercise over a branch 
of Moor's Charity School, and have obstructed the application 
of its fund according to the nature of the establishment and the 
design of the donors ; and that their measures have been oppress- 
ive to your memorialist, in the discharge of his office. 

Such are the impressions as now related, arising from the acts 
and operations of those who have of late commanded the deci- 
sions of the Board. He does not pretend to exhibit their motives; 
whether they have been actuated by erroneous conceptions or 
mistaken zeal, or some other cause in attending to the concerns 
of the institution. But, with great deference, he submits the 
remark, unless men in trust, preserve inviolable faith, whether 
pledged by words, by action, or by usage, to individuals, unless 
they cautiously keep within the limits assigned to them by law; 
if they do not sacredly apply the fruits of benevolence, committed 
to their charge, to the destined purpose, — if the public matters, 
in their trust, are not conducted with openness, impartiality, 
and candor, instead of designed and secret management — if they 
become pointedly hostile to those, who discern their course, and 
honestly oppose their measures esteemed destructive — if they 
bear down their inofTensive servants faithful to the cause of 
truth; how can an establishment, under these circumstances, be 
profitable to mankind? How a gleam of prospective joy to any, 



Appendix. 673 

but to those, who are converting its interest into their own channel 
to serve a favorite design? What motive, then, will remain to 
benefactors to lay foundations, or bestow their charities on such 
an object? 

There is also ground for increasing fearful apprehension by 
adding to the immediate, what may be the ultimate effect of the 
measures which have been described. In a collective view, they 
appear to the best acquainted and discerning, to be all in their 
adaptions, tending to one end; to complete the destruction of 
the original principles of the College and School, and to establish 
a new modified system to strengthen the interests of a party or 
sect, which, by extending its influence, under the fairest profes- 
sions, will eventually effect the political independe7ice of the people, 
AND MOVE THE SPRINGS OF THEIR GOVERNMENT. 

To you, revered Legislators! the writer submits the foregoing 
important considerations. He beholds in your Body, the sove- 
reign of the State, holding by the Constitution and the very 
nature of sovereignty in all countries, the sacred right, with 
your duty and responsibility to God, to visit and oversee the 
literary establishments, where the manners and feelings of the 
young are formed, and grow up in the citizen, in after life; — to 
restrain from injustice, and rectify abuses in their management; 
and if necessary, to reduce them to their primitive principles, or 
modify their powers to become subservient to the public welfare. — 
To your protection, and wise arrangements, he submits what- 
ever he holds in official rights by the charter of the Seminary; 
and to you his invaluable rights, as a subject and citizen. 

He entreats your honorable Body to take into consideration 
the state and concerns of the College and School, as laid before 
you : — and as the Legislature has never before found occasion to 
provide, by any tribunal, against the evils of the foregoing nature 
and their ultimate dangers, he prays, that you would please, by 
a committee, invested with competent powers, or otherwise, 
to look into the affairs and managements, of the Institution, 
internal, and external, already referred to; and, if judged expedi- 
ent in your wisdom, make such organic improvements, and 
model reforms in its system and movements, as, under Divine 
Providence, will guard against the disorders and their appre- 
hended consequences. — He begs only to add the contemplated 
joys of the friends of man and virtue, in the result of your great 
wisdom and goodness, which may secure this seat of science; — 
43 



674 Appendix. 

that, instead of a theatre for the purpose of a few terminating 
in public calamity, it may become an increasing source of bless- 
ings to the State, and to mankind of the present and succeeding 
ages. 

Whatever disposal your honorable Body may please to make 
of the subject now presented, the subscriber will never cease to 
retain the most humble deference, and dutiful respect. 

JOHN WHEELOCK. 



APPENDIX B. 



REMONSTRANCE OF THE TRUSTEES. 

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives oj the 
State of New Hampshire, in General Court convened: 

The undersigned, three of the members of the Board of Trustees 
of Dartmouth college, having this morning seen a printed copy 
of a bill before the Honorable House, the provisions of which, 
should they go into effect, would set aside the charter of the Col- 
lege, and wholly change the administration of its concerns, beg 
leave respectfully to remonstrate against its passage. They 
regret that they have had no more time to take the same into 
consideration. 

The provisions of the bill, referred to, change the name of the 
Corporation; enlarge the number of Trustees; alter the number 
to constitute a quorum; render persons living out of the State, 
who are now eligible, hereafter ineligible; vacate the seats of 
those members who are not inhabitants of the State; deprive the 
Trustees of the right of electing members to supply vacancies; 
and give to the new Board of Trustees an arbitrary power of 
annulling every thing heretofore transacted by the Trustees ; and 
this last, without the concurrence of the proposed Board of 
Overseers. The consent of the present Board of Trustees is, 
in no instance, contemplated as necessary to give validity to 
the new act of incorporation. 

In the opinion of the undersigned, these changes, modifications, 
and alterations, effectually destroy the present Charter of the 
College, and constitute a new one. 

It will be recollected, that Doctor John Wheelock, at the last 
session of the Legislature, presented a memorial, in which the 
conduct of a majority of the Trustees was in no small degree 
implicated. About the same time, certain pamphlets were put 
into circulation, designed to excite a strong impression in favor 
of that memorial. The Honorable Legislature, in their wisdom, 
appointed a committee to take the said memorial into considera- 
tion; and Doctor Wheelock was heard before them, the adverse 
party not being notified or present. The result was, the appoint- 

675 



676 Appendix. 

ment of a committee to investigate the affairs of the College, and 
report facts. An investigation accordingly took place; and 
both Doctor Wheelock and the Trustees were by this last men- 
tioned committee permitted to make such statements, and pro- 
duce such evidence, as the occasion required. A long detailed 
report of the committee of investigation has been submitted 
to your Honorable Bodies; but after the same had been once 
read to the respective Branches, and before it was printed in 
pursuance of the order of the Honorable House, and put into the 
hands of the members for perusal, the bill now before the Honor- 
able House was, by a joint committee of both Branches, ordered 
to be reported, without taking into consideration the report of 
the committee of investigation, and without requiring any further 
evidence of facts. — For the correctness of the above detail, the 
undersigned respectfully appeal to the Honorable members of 
the Legislature. 

They now, in the most respectful manner, remonstrate against 
the passage of the bill under consideration, for the following 
reasons : — 

Should the bill become a law, it will be obvious to our fellow 
citizens that the Trustees of Dartmouth College will have been 
deprived of their Charter rights without having been sum- 
moned or notified of any such proceeding against them. It will 
be equally obvious to our fellow citizens, that the facts reported 
by the committee of investigation did not form the ground and 
basis of the new act of incorporation; and that no evidence of 
facts, of any sort, relating to the official conduct of the Trustees, 
other than the report of the committee of investigation, was 
submitted to your Honorable Bodies. To deprive a Board of 
Trustees of their Charter rights, after they have been accused of 
gross misconduct in office, ivithout requiring any proof whatever 
of such misconduct, appears to your remonstrants unjust, and not 
cofiformable to the spirit of the free and happy government under 
which we live. To these remarks, it cannot be considered a 
satisfactory answer, that the design of the Legislature was to 
improve the condition of the College, and that it was no part of 
their design to express disapprobation of the official conduct of 
the Trustees; for the simple fact of depriving the Trustees of 
their Charter rights, and of removing a part of them from office 
by law, after having been charged with gross misconduct, gives 
a contradiction to such an answer, and in the strongest language. 
The undersigned humbly believe, that the majority of the Trus- 



Appendix. 677 

tees, in common with their fellow citizens, are entitled to a fair 
trial, where they can m.eet their accusers face to face, before they 
can rightfully, by the Legislature of the State, be denounced 
to the world in express terms, or by necessary implication, as 
having violated the sacred trust committed to their charge. If 
the bill be understood by the Legislature as a condemnation of 
the Trustees, the undersigned would fain persuade themselves 
that the Honorable House, and Senate, will not pass it, till they 
have cited the Trustees to appear before them, and given them 
time to meet and act upon the citation, and to be heard by them- 
selves and counsel. If it be not thus understood, why are part 
of them deprived of their Charter rights? If it be not intended 
to be thus understood, we think that a section should have been 
introduced, expressly guarding against such a construction; and 
that the tenth section should be omitted. 

The undersigned respectfully remonstrate against the passage 
of the bill referred to, on the ground of want of legitimate power 
to dissolve, in this manner, the Corporation of a literary institu- 
tion, not founded by the State, without judicial inquiry. The 
Charter of Dartmouth College vests certain rights of property, 
for particular uses, in the Trustees. The Sovereign power hav- 
ing once made this grant, cannot, as the Trustees humbly con- 
ceive, divest them of it, so long as they exercise their trust 
in conformity to the true intent and meaning of the Charter. 
They respectfully call to the view of the Honorable Legislature, 
that Dartmouth College was not founded by the then existing 
Sovereign. It was founded and endowed by liberal individuals; 
and the Charter was given by the Sovereign, to perpetuate the 
application of the property conformably to the design of the 
donors. If the property has been misapplied, if there has been 
any abuse of power upon the part of the Trustees, they are fully 
sensible of their high responsibility; but they have always be- 
lieved, and still believe, that a sound construction of the powers 
granted to the Legislature, gives them, in this case, only the 
right to order, for good cause, a prosecution in the Judicial Courts. 
A different course effectually blends Judicial and Legislative 
powers, and constitutes the Legislature a Judicial tribunal. 

The undersigned also beg leave to remonstrate against the 
passage of the bill, on the ground of inexpediency. 

A Corporation is a creature of the law, to which certain powers, 
rights, and privileges, are granted; and amongst others, that of 
holding property. Destroy this creature, this body politic, and 



678 Appendix. 

all its property immediately reverts to its former owners. This 
doctrine has long been recognized and established in all govern- 
ments of law. Any material alteration of the Corporation, 
without its consent, and certainly such essential alterations as 
the bill under consideration is intended to make, will be followed 
with the same effect. The funds belonging to the College, al- 
though not great, are highly important to the institution; and a 
considerable proportion of them were granted by, and lie in, the 
State of Vermont. The undersigned most earnestly entreat 
the Honorable Legislature not to put the funds of the College 
in jeopardy — not to put at hazard substantial income, under 
expectations which may or may not be realized. 

The revolution which this bill, if carried into operation, will 
produce, is not demanded by any present exigency, or any threat- 
ening danger. The College is as flourishing in respect to the 
number of students, to scholarship, and to habits of industry 
and good order, as it has been in former times. The committee 
of investigation, in their report (page 33), testify, "For several 
years past, the members of College have been more attentive to 
their studies and classical exercises, more regular in their conduct, 
and less inclined to dissipation of any sort, than in former times." 
By a document of the College Treasurer, accompanying the 
Report, it appears that the income of the College exceeds its 
expenditures. 

On the ground of inexpediency, the undersigned solicit the 
attention of the Honorable Legislature to the state of the public 
mind in regard to this subject. Should the proposed bill pass 
into a law, they submit to the Honorable Legislature, whether 
its inevitable tendency will not be to perpetuate the division of 
opinion now existing in the community in relation to this inter- 
esting concern, and to deprive the College of many students who 
would otherwise be sent to it for education. The union of the 
whole community, in support of the College, must be highly de- 
sirable in the view of every well wisher to the cause of literature 
and useful knowledge. 

The undersigned respectfully remonstrate against the passage 
of the proposed bill, because it is unprecedented. Never have 
they heard, that the Legislature of any State, in which existed 
a proper division of power, has deprived the Corporation of a 
College, or University, not founded by the State, of its Charter 
rights, and erected a new one upon its ruins. The constituting 
of two large bodies, as contemplated by this bill, will render 



Appendix. 679 

necessary a very serious augmentation of expenditures. These 
numerous bodies, we think, will need twice as much time for 
transacting the ordinary business of a session, as has been em- 
ployed by the existing Trustees. The average number of Trus- 
tees, who have usually met, may be placed at ten; and the average 
expense of a meeting, at one hundred dollars. Taking this as 
the basis of a calculation, and estimating the average number of 
Trustees who will hereafter meet, should this bill pass, at fifteen, 
and of Overseers at thirty, the expense of every session will be 
nine hundred dollars. Who shall sustain this expense? The 
College cannot. The State, we presume, will assume the charge. 
But this, the Honorable Legislature are aware, would be equiv- 
alent to making to the College, at the present session, a dona- 
tion, in money, of fifteen thousand dollars. 

If the provisions of this bill should take effect, we greatly fear 
that the concerns of the College will be drawn into the vortex 
of political controversy. We refer particularly to that section 
of the bill, which gives the appointment of Trustees and Over- 
seers to the Governor and Council. The whole history of the 
United States, for the last twenty years, teaches us a lesson which 
ought not to be kept out of view. Our literary Institutions 
hitherto have been preserved from the influence of party. The 
tendency of this bill, unless we greatly mistake, is to convert the 
peaceful retreat of our College into a field for party warfare. 

To the report of the committee of investigation, the under- 
signed, in behalf of themselves and fellow Trustees, appeal for 
their justification against the charges exhibited against them in 
Dr. Wheelock's Memorial. They rely, with great confidence, 
that the Report aforesaid will be attended to by the Hon. 
Legislature and an impartial public, as evidence entitled to the 
highest consideration. By a reference to the Memorial, it will 
be seen, that the Trustees are charged directly or indirectly with 
having exercised religious intolerance ; with having systematically 
promoted one sect or party, with political objects dangerous to 
government. Dr. Wheelock alleged in the said Memorial, that 
the Trustees have misapplied the funds of the College; that they 
have invaded the rights of the Presidential office ; that they used 
improper means in the appointment of Executive officers; that 
they have formed an unjustifiable connexion with an academy; 
and improperly furnished students thereof with aids from the 
College Treasury; that they have obstructed the application of 
the funds of Moor's Charity School, according to their original 



68o Appendix. 

destination; that they have oppressed him in the discharge of 
his office as President. These are heavy charges; and if they 
were founded in truth, the Trustees deserve the severest repro- 
bation. But if they were framed through a mistaken appre- 
hension of motives and actions, or with the unjustifiable object 
of exciting popular odium against the Trustees, to effect their 
removal from office, in either case common justice requires that 
the Trustees should not he permitted to suffer by the silence of the 
Legislature, and most assuredly that a law should not be passed 
which will be deemed by the ptiblic an expression of legislative 
condemnation. 

Whilst the undersigned deem it their indispensable duty to 
remonstrate in the most respectful terms against the passage 
of the bill referred to, they have no objection, and they have no 
reason to believe their fellow Trustees have any objection, to 
the passage of a law connecting the government of the State with 
that of the College, and creating every salutary check and re- 
straint upon the official conduct of the Trustees and their suc- 
cessors that can be reasonably required; and with respectful 
deference they would propose the following outlines of a plan for 
that purpose. 

The Counsellors and Senators of New Hampshire, together 
with the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the time 
being, shall constitute a Board of Overseers of Dartmouth Col- 
lege, any ten of whom shall be a quorum for transacting business. 
The Overseers shall meet annually at the College on the day 
preceding commencement. They shall have an independent 
right to organize their own body, and to form their own rules; 
but as soon as they shall have organized themselves, they shall 
give information thereof to the Trustees. Whenever any vote 
shall have been passed by the Trustees, it shall be communicated 
to the Overseers, and shall not have effect until it shall have 
the concurrence of the Overseers — Provided nevertheless, that 
if at any meeting a quorum of the Overseers shall not be formed, 
the Trustees shall have full power to confer degrees, in the same 
manner as though there were no Overseers; and also to appoint 
Trustees or other officers, (not a President or Professor), and to 
enact such laws as the interests of the Institution shall indis- 
pensably require; but no law passed by the Trustees shall in such 
case have force longer than until the next annual meeting of the 
Boards, unless it shall then be approved by the Overseers. Nei- 
ther of the Boards shall adjourn, except from day to day, without 



Appendix. 68 r 

the consent of the other. It shall be the duty of the President 
of the College, whenever in his opinion the interests of the Insti- 
tution shall require it, or whenever requested thereto by three 
Trustees, or three Overseers, to call special meetings of both 
Boards, causing notice to be given in writing to each Trustee and 
Overseer, of the time and place; but no meeting of one Board 
shall ever be called except at the same time and place with the 
other. It shall be the duty of the President of the College annu- 
ally, in the month of May, to transmit to His Excellency the 
Governor a full and particular account of the state of the funds, 
the number of students and their progress, and generally the state 
and condition of the College. 

If the plan above suggested should meet the approbation of 
the Honorable Legislature, and good men of all parties give it 
their sanction, we may all anticipate, with high satisfaction, the 
future prosperity of the College, and its incalculable usefulness 
to the State; but if a union of the friends of literature and science, 
of all parties and sects, cannot be attained; if the triumph of one 
party over the other be absolutely indispensable; fearful appre- 
hensions must fill the mind of every considerate man — every dis- 
passionate friend of Dartmouth College. 

Tho. W. Thompson, 
Elijah Paine, 
Asa M'Farland. 
June 19th, 1816. 



APPENDIX C. 



CATALOGUE OF THE UNIVERSITY. 

PRESIDENTS. 

Rev. Francis Brown, D. D., declined; removed February 22, 1817. 

Hon. John Wheelock, LL. D., elected, February 22, 1817; died April 4, 181 7. 

Rev. William Allen, elected June 4, 18 17. 



TRUSTEES. 

Rev. Francis Brown, D. D., declined; removed February 22, 1817. 
Hon. Nathaniel Niles, declined; removed August 26, 1817. 
Hon. Thomas W. Thompson, declined; removed August 26, 1817. 
Hon. Stephen Jacob, died January 27, 181 7. 
Hon Timothy Farrar, declined; removed January 22, 181 7. 
Hon. Elijah Paine, declined; removed August 26, 1817. 
Hon. John T. Oilman, did not act in either Board during the con- 
test. 
Hon. Charles Marsh, declined; removed August 26, 181 7. 
Rev. Asa McFarland, declined; removed February 22, 181 7. 
Rev. John Smith, declined; removed August 25, 181 8. 
Rev. Seth Payson, declined; removed February 22, 1817. 



Present 



Gov. William Plumer, ex officio .... 
Hon. Josiah Bartlett, Stratham» 
Hon. Joshua Darling, Henniker . 
Hon. Wm. H. Woodward, Hanover 
Matthew Harvey, Esq., Hopkinton 
Levi Woodbury, Esq., Francestown 
Henry Hubbard, Esq., Charlestown 
Dr. Cyrus Perkins, Hanover » 
Aaron Hutchinson, Lebanon . 
Daniel M. Durell, Esq., Dover 
John Harris, Hopkinton . 
Moses Eastman, Salisbury 
Ichabod Bartlett, Portsmouth 

Elected Feb. 22, 181 7, Hon. John Wheelock, Han 
over, vice F. Brown, removed. 

682 



^ < Q 



^ < B. 



X X 
X X 

X 
XXX 



Appendix. 



683 



l^i 



J" •* 'S !:■ ^ 



Q 4 < 



^ I 



Elected June 4, 1817, Rev. William Allen, Han- 
over, wee J. Wheelock deceased. 
Elected Dec. 24, 1816, Hon. Salma Hale, Keene. 

Rev. Thomas Beede, Wilton, vice Seth 

Payson 

Rev. Elijah Dunbar, Peterborough, vice 

Asa McFarland 

Dr. Cyrus Perkins, Hanover,' vice Tim- 
othy Farrar 

Rev. Wm. Morrison, Londonderry, vice 

Elijah Paine 

Hon. George B. Upham, Claremont, 

vice Charles Marsh .... 
Rev. Stephen B. Farley, Claremont, vice 

Nath'l Niles 

Rev, Elijah Parish, Newburyport, vice 

^ T. W. Thompson 

" Thomas Whipple, Wentworth i 

August. 26, 1 8 18, Josiah Dunham, Windsor 
August 26, 1818, Rev. James W. Woodward, 
Norwich, Vt 



OVERSEERS. 

His Exc'y> Jonas Galusha, Gov. Vt., Shaftsbury, Vt., ex officio. 
Hon. Paul Brigham, Lt. Gov. Vt., Norwich, Vt.,» ex officio. 
Hon. Jonathan Harvey, New London, Pres. Senate, N. H., ex officio. 
Hon. David L. Morrill, Goflfstown, Speaker H. R., 1816-17,1 ex officio. 
Hon. Henry B. Chase, Warner, Speaker H. R., 181 7-18, ex officio. 
Hon. Matthew Harvey, Hopkinton, Speaker H. R., 1818-19, ex officio. 



» Messrs. Josiah Bartlett, Woodbury and Hubbard did not sit with the Board after its first 
meeting. Mr. Hubbard, and probably the other two, resigned, as the other names make the 
full quota of the Board. Dr. Perkins apparently did not accept the first appointment. The 
succession is not always given in the records, but was probably as indicated, the four chosen 
December 31, 1817, filling the vacancies caused by the removal of the four old trustees, without 
special designation, The date of Mr. Whipple's election is not recorded. 



684 



Appendix. 



Ju 



f Hon. John Langdon, Portsmouth.* 

William Gray, Esq., Boston, Mass.^ 

Gen. Henry Dearborn, Roxbury, Mass.* 

Rev. Thomas Baldwin, Boston, Mass. 

Hon. Joseph Story, Salem, Mass.* 

Hon. B. W. Crowninshield, Salem, Mass., Sec'y U. S. Navy.* 

Hon. Benjamin Greene, Berwick, Me.' 

Hon. Cyrus King, Saco, Me. 

Elisha Ticknor, Esq., Boston, Mass.> 

Hon. Clifton Claggett, Amherst.' 

Hon. Dudley Chase, Randolph, Vt.» 

Gen. H. A. S. Dearborn, Boston, Mass.» 

Hon. Jona. H. Hubbard, Windsor, Vt.> 

Hon. George Sullivan, Exeter. 

James T. Austin, Esq., Boston, Mass." 

Hon. Levi Lincoln, Jr., Worcester, Mass.* 

Hon. Albion K. Parris, Paris, Me.» 

Dr. Amos Twitchell, Keene.i 
I Hon. Wm. A. Griswold, Danville, Vt.» 

iHon. Clement Storer, Portsmouth, also ex officio, Pres't Senate 1817- 
18.1 
Rev. David Sutherland, Bath.' 
Hon. Arthur Livermore, Holderness. 
Hon. William Badger, Gilmanton. 
Rev. William Bentley, D. D., Salem, Mass. 
Hon. Judah Dana, Fryeburg, Me. 
Hon. Jeduthan Wilcox, Orford. 
Hon. Ezra Bartlett, Haverhill. 
Stephen P. Webster, Haverhill, 
ne 10, 1817, Hon. Roger Vose, Walpole, wcc Arthur Livermore, declined. 



TREASURERS. 

Hon. Wm. H. Woodward, 1816-August 9, 1818. 
Cyrus Perkins, M.D., August 1818-June 9, 1819. 
Joshua Darling, June 9, 1819. 

PROFESSORS. 

Rev. William Allen, chosen professor of Logic, Metaphysics and Ethics, Feb- 
ruary 6, 181 7, declined and chosen professor of Theology, February 22, 
1817. 

Nathaniel Hazeltine Carter, chosen professor of Languages, February 6, 1818. 

James Dean, A. M., chosen professor of Mathematics and Philosophy, Feb- 
ruary 22, 181 7. 

' Present at the first meeting of the Overseers. 

» The appointments of July 4, together with the ex ojficto members filled the Board, but as the 
list in the catalogue of the University, published in the fall of 1816, gives but nineteen names, 
those marked * being wanting, these six of the appointees must have declined. As seven new 
appointments were made in December, another of the original appointees must have declined, 
but it is uncertain who it was. Of the seven Mr. Livermore declined and Mr. Vose was ap- 
pointed in his place. 



Appendix. 685 

Cyrus Perkins, M.D., Professor of Anatomy and Surgery, came over from the 

College. 
Rev. Thomas Coleman Searle, chosen professor of Logic, Metaphysics and 

Ethics, June 13, 1817. 

TUTORS. 
Thomas Cogswell Upharn, 1818. 

Jeremiah Elkins, preceptor Moore's Charity School under President Allen, 
September 8, 1817-August 27, 1818. 



DEGREES CONFERRED.! 
1817. 

Bachelors of A rts. 

David Ames, Canterbury, N. H.« Samuel Barlow Mead, Amesbury, Mass.* 

Jeremiah Elkins, Andover, N. H.«« Lemuel Merrill. Warren, N. H.« 

Horace Fletcher, Cavendish, Vt.« « Stephen Rice Page, Haverhill, N. H.« 

Daniel Goodenow. John Wilcox, Newport, N. H.» 
Austin Hersey, Leicester, Mass. 

Masters of Arts in Course. 

Joseph P. Allen, 18 14. Gen. Eleazer W. Ripley, 1800. 

John Anderson, 1814.* Rev. Thomas C. Searle, 1812. 

Horace Chase, 1814. Elisha Fuller Wallace, 181 1. 

Rev. Alpheus Harding, 1805. David Willard, 1809. 
Joseph Merrill, 1 8 14. 

Honorary Degrees. 

A. M., Gen. James Miller. Rev. Titus Strong. 

Samuel Prentiss, Esq.' Erastus Torrey, M. D.» 

LL. D., His Excellency James Monroe, President of the United States. 
D. D., Rev. William Morrison, Londonderry, N. H. 

Doctors in Medicine.* 

Ebenezer Alden, M. B. 181 1. Zadock Howe, M. B. 1809. 

Robert Burns, Warren, N. H. Oliver Hubbard, M B, 181 1. 

Samuel Clark, M. B. 1811. Rufus Longley, M. B. 1811. 

Ezekiel Dodge Gushing, M. B. 1811. Charles Taft, M. B. 1811. 
Benjamin Franklin Greene, South Berwick, Me. 

1 Dartmouth Gazette, September 10, 1817. 
» These went to the University from the College. 

' These names appear also in the College classes. Wilcox completed his studies and toolc hit 
degree from the College in 18 16. 

• These names appear in the minutes but not in the Gazette. 

• These names appear in the Gazette but not in the minutes. 

• Burns and Greene were medical students; all the others were medical graduates in the years 
Indicated, but before 1812 the degree given was M. B. 



686 Appendix. 



DEGREES CONFERRED. 

1818. 

Bachelors of Arts. 

Luther Clark, Claremont, N. H.> James White, Chester, N. H. 

Thomas C. Upham, Rochester, N. H.» Samuel Whiting, Hopkinton, N. H. 

Masters of Arts in Course. 

Richard Bartlett, 181 5. John Fletcher, 1815. 

Daniel Breck, 1812. Joseph Russell Jarvis, 18 10. 

Alexander Ralston Chase, 1814. David Steele, 18 15. 

John Davis, 18 15. Henry Woodward, 181 5. 

Doctors in Medicine. 

Joshua Bartlett, Unity, N. H., M. B. 1800. James A. Gregg, Unity, N. H. 

Caleb Buswell, New Grantham, N. H. John Parkhurst.' 

John Campbell.* Nathaniel Smith, Halifax, Vt. 

Hall Chase, Fryeburg, Me. Jacob Straw, Hopkinton, N. H. 

Charles Fox, Hanover, N. H. Carlos White, Sandwich, N. H. 

Honorary Degree. 

D. D., Rev. William Hill, Winchester, Va. 

> Clark had been a student in the College for a year in the class of 1815; Upham afterward 
took his degree from the College as of the same year. 

* These names appear in the Gazette but not in the minutes. 



APPENDIX D, 



ACTION OF THE TRUSTEES REFUSING TO ACCEPT A 
CHANGE IN THEIR CHARTER. 

The Trustees of Dartmouth College have been informed, 
through the public newspapers, that the Legislature of New- 
Hampshire at their last June session passed an act in the follow- 
ing words, viz.: An act to amend the charter and enlarge and 
improve the corporation of Dartmouth College etc. 

Whereas knowledge and learning generally diffused through 
a community are essential to the preservation of a free govern- 
ment, and extending the opportunities and advantages of 
education is highly conducive to promote this end, and by the 
Constitution it is made the duty of the Legislature and magis- 
trates to cherish the interests of literature and the sciences, and 
ail seminaries established for their advancement; and as the Col- 
lege of this State may, in the opinion of the Legislature, be ren- 
dered more extensively useful, therefore — 

Sect. i. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 
tives in General Court convened, That the Corporation, heretofore 
called and known by the name of the Trustees of Dartmouth 
College, shall ever hereafter be called and known by the 
name of the Trustees of Dartmouth University, and the whole 
number of said Trustees shall be twenty-one, a majority of whom 
shall form a quorum for the transaction of business. And they 
and their successors in that capacity, as hereby constituted, 
shall respectively forever have, hold, use, exercise and enjoy all 
the powers, authorities rights, property, liberties, privileges and 
immunities which have hitherto been possessed, enjoyed and 
used by the Trustees of Dartmouth College — except so far as 
the same may be varied or limited by the provisions of this act, 
and they shall have power to determine the times and places of 
their meeting, and manner of notifying the same — to organize 
colleges in the university — to establish an Institute, and elect 
fellows and members thereof — to appoint such ofificers as they 
may deem proper, and determine their duties and compensation, 
and also to displace them — to delegate the power of supplying 

687 



688 Appendix. 

vacancies in any of the offices of the University for any term of 
time not extending beyond their next meeting — to pass ordinances 
for the government of the students, with reasonable penalties 
not inconsistent with the constitution, and laws of this State; to 
prescribe the course of education, and confer degrees; and to 
arrange, invest and employ the funds of the University. 

Sect. 2. And be it further enacted, That there shall be a 
Board of Overseers, who shall have perpetual succession, and 
whose numbers shall be twenty five, fifteen of whom shall con- 
stitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The President 
of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives 
of New Hampshire, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of 
Vermont, for the time being, shall be members of said Board 
ex officio. The Board of Overseers shall have power to determine 
the times and places of their meetings, and manner of notifying 
the same — to inspect and confirm, or disapprove and negative 
such votes and proceedings of the Board of Trustees, as shall 
relate to the appointment and removal of President, Professors, 
and other permanent officers of the University, and determine 
their salaries — to the establishment of Colleges and Professor- 
ships, and the erection of new College buildings. Provided 
always, that the said negative shall be expressed within sixty 
days from the time of said Overseers being furnished with copies 
of such acts. Provided also, that all votes and proceedings of 
the Board of Trustees shall be valid and effectual to all 
intents and purposes, until such negative of the Board of Over- 
seers be expressed according to the provisions of this act. 

Sect. 3. And he it further enacted, That there shall be a Treas- 
urer of said Corporation, who shall be duly sworn, and who, 
before he enters upon the duties of his office, shall give bonds 
with sureties to the satisfaction of the Corporation for the faith- 
ful performance thereof — and also a Secretary to each of the 
Boards of Trustees and Overseers, to be elected by said Boards 
respectively, who shall keep a just and true record of the pro- 
ceedings of the Board for which he was chosen. And it shall 
furthermore be the duty of the Secretary of the Board of Trus- 
tees, to furnish as soon as may be, the said Board of Overseers 
with copies of the records of such votes and proceedings as by 
the provisions of this act are made subject to their revision and 
control. 

Sect. 4. And be it further enacted. That the President of 
Dartmouth University, and his successors in office, shall have 



Appendix. 689 

the superintendance of the government and instruction of the 
students, and may preside at all meetings of the Trustees; and 
do and execute all the duties devolving by usage on the President 
of a University. He shall render annually to the Governor of 
this State an account of the number of students, and of the state 
of the funds of the University; and likewise copies of all impor- 
tant votes and proceedings of the Corporation and Overseers, 
which shall be made out by the Secretaries of the respective 
Boards. 

Sect. 5. And he it further enacted, That the President and 
Professors of the University shall be nominated by the Trustees 
and approved by the Board of Overseers; and shall be liable to 
be suspended or removed from office in manner as before pro- 
vided. And each of the two Boards of Trustees and Overseers 
shall have power to suspend and remove any member of their 
respective Boards. 

Sect. 6. And he it further enacted, That the Governor and 
Council are hereby authorized to fill all vacancies in the Board 
of Overseers, whether the same be original vacancies, or are 
occasioned by the death, or resignation or removal of any member. 
And the Governor and Council in like manner shall by appoint- 
ment as soon as may be, complete the present Board of Trustees 
to the number of twenty one, as provided for by this act, and 
shall have power also to fill all vacancies that may occur previous 
to, or during the first meeting of the said Board of Trustees. 
But the President of said University, for the time being, shall 
nevertheless be a member of the said Board of Trustees ex officio. 
And the Governor and Council shall have power to inspect the 
doings and proceedings of the Corporation, and of all the members 
of the University, whenever they deem it expedient — and they 
are hereby required to make such inspection, and report the same 
to the Legislature of this State as often as once in every five 
years. And the Governor is hereby authorized and requested 
to summon the first meeting of the said Trustees and Overseers, 
to be held at Hanover on the 26th day of August next. 

Sect. 7. And he it further enacted. That the President and 
Professors of the University, before entering upon the duties of 
their offices, shall take the oath to support the Constitution of 
the United States, and of this State; certificates of which shall be 
filed in the office of the Secretary of this State, within sixty days 
from their entering on their offices respectively. 

Sect. 8. And he it further enacted. That perfect freedom of 



690 Appendix. 

religious opinions shall be enjoyed by all the officers and students 
of the University; and no officer or student shall be deprived of 
any honors, privileges, or benefits of the Institution on account 
of his religious creed or belief. The Theological Colleges 
which may be established in the University shall be founded on 
the same principles of religious freedom; and any man or body 
shall have a right to endow Colleges or Professorships of any 
sect of the Protestant Christian Religion. And the Trustees 
shall be held and obliged to appoint professors of learning and 
piety of such sects, according to the will of the donors. 

The Trustees deem it their duty to place on their records the 
following facts: 

At the session of the Legislature of the State holden in June 
A. D. 1815, Doctor John Wheelock, the then president of the 
College presented a memorial to that body, in which he charged 
a majority of the Trustees of the College with gross misbehavior 
in office. 

Doctor Wheelock's memorial was committed to a joint com- 
mittee of both branches of the Legislature, and he was fully 
heard before the Committee ex parte, neither the Trustees nor 
the members then present being notified or heard. 

The Legislature thereupon appointed the Hon^^^ Daniel a 
White, Hon^'^ Nathaniel A. Haven and Rev. Ephraim P. Brad- 
ford a committee to repair to the College, and investigate facts, 
and report thereon. The said Committee did in August follow- 
ing meet at the College, heard both Doctor Wheelock in support 
of his charges against the Trustees and the Trustees in their de- 
fence, and at the session of the Legislature in June last made 
their report, which has been published. 

The report of facts made by Messrs. White, Haven and Brad- 
ford was committed to a joint Committee of both Branches, and 
this last Committee in their report expressly decline considering 
the report of facts as the proper ground upon which the Legislature 
ought to proceed in relation to the College. 

The Trustees were not notified at any stage of the proceedings 
to appear by themselves or agent before the Legislature and 
answer the charges exhibited against them by the said Wheelock. 

Thomas W. Thompson, Elijah Paine, and Asa McFarland, 
three of the Trustees implicated, attended the Legislature in 
June last, and respectfully petitioned for the privilege of being 



Appendix. 691 

heard on the floor of the house (a privilege seldom denied to par- 
ties in interest) in behalf of themselves, and the other Trustees, 
but were refused. 

During the same session the said Thompson, Paine and Mc- 
Farland presented to the Legislature a remonstrance against the 
passage of the bill relating to the College, then pending. 

And afterwards, on the 24th day of June the said Thompson 
and McFarland presented to the Legislature another remon- 
strance, against the passage of the act now under consideration — 

Both remonstrances were read and laid on the table — 

No facts were proved to the Legislature, and no report of facts 
of any Legislative Committee was made to show that the state 
of things at the College rendered any Legislative interference 
necessary. The act passed by small majorities, in the House of 
Representatives and the Senate. 

The Trustees forbear to make any comment on the foregoing 
facts. 

They consider themselves under a high responsibility to their 
fellow citizens, and to the benefactors of the College to pursue 
that course in relation to the said act, and the facts stated, which 
will prove ultimately most beneficial to the present and succeed- 
ing generations. They are very sensible of their own liability 
to err. Nor do they believe that Legislative majorities are 
exempt from the same imperfection. Compelled as they are by 
the necessities of the case to accept or refuse the provisions of 
the said act, they cannot avoid deciding the question. 

They find the law fully settled and recognized in almost every 
case which has arisen wherein a Corporation, or any member or 
officer is a party, that no man, or body of men is bound to accept 
or act under any grant or gift of corporate powers and privileges; 
and that no existing Corporation is bound to accept, but may 
decline or refuse to accept any act or grant conferring any addi- 
tional powers or privileges, or making any restriction or limita- 
tion of those they already possess. And in case a grant is made 
to individuals, or to a Corporation without application, it is to 
be regarded not as an act obligatory or binding upon them, but 
as an ofi"er or proposition to confer such powers and privileges, 
or the expression of a desire to have them accept such restriction 
which they are at liberty to accept or reject. 

The Trustees apprehend, from the course taken by the Leg- 
islature, that an opinion prevails that the said act is constitu- 
tionally binding upon them whether they accept its provisions 



692 Appendix. 

or not; and that the gentlemen appointed as Trustees under the 
act are constitutionally vested by it, with the rights and privi- 
leges granted by the charter of 1769. Against this opinion they 
observ^e that by the charter of 1769 the Trustees of Dartmouth 
College, in the language of the law, "by incorporation acquired 
jus persona, and became persona politica, and capable of all civil 
rights," and were rendered capable of holding real and personal 
estate, and of enjoying the rights and privileges recited in the 
said charter. In the same charter it is declared that "the whole 
number of Trustees shall forever thereafter consist of twelve 
and no more," and that the said Trustees and their successors, 
so often as any one or more of the said Trustees shall die, etc., 
shall elect and appoint such Trustee or Trustees as shall supply 
the place of him or those so dying, etc. 

Here then was a grant of powers and privileges made on the 
part of Government to the twelve persons named in the charter 
and their successors, which was accepted upon the part of the 
Trustees. The rights and privileges thus granted, became vested. 
Everything was done which could be done by the government to 
clothe the grantees with the powers, privileges and immunities 
of an incorporation ; and among others the powers and privileges 
of acquiring, and holding property and of perpetuating its own 
existence, by a successive election of members, for the security 
and continuance of those powers and privileges in their successors; 
and for the application of such property as they might acquire, 
to the purposes and objects for which they were incorporated. 
All property which they have acquired by purchase or donation 
has become vested in them in trust, that its avails shall be applied 
to the objects for which it was purchased or given agreeably to 
the principles of their charter. 

The Trustees having by the charter become a body politic, a 
person known in law, they cannot without a violation of the 
Constitution of this State "be despoiled or deprived of their 
property, immunities or privileges or put out of the protection of 
law, but by the judgment of their peers, or the law of the land." 
And as a person known in law they are constitutionally entitled 
in common with their fellow citizens to a trial by jury, when any 
matter is alleged against them as cause of forfeiture of their 
property, powers, rights, privileges or immunities. 

This grant having been made by the charter of 1769, and ac- 
cepted by the Trustees named in the instrument, it becomes a 



Appendix. 693 

contract, and irrevocable on the part of the government in its 
very nature, so long as its terms are complied with. It may be 
surrendered or forfeited. If forfeited, a judicial enquiry must 
be had, according to the Constitution and Laws of the State. 
It is not competent for the Legislature to decide the question of 
forfeiture. The Constitution forbids it, and refers it to the judi- 
cial department of government. Any act of the Legislature alter- 
ing or impairing the contract, without the consent of the Trustees, 
must, we apprehend, be considered by the judicial tribunal a 
violation of the loth Section of the first article of the Constitu- 
tion of the United States, which declares, "No State shall make 
any law impairing the obligation of contracts." 

The said act of the Legislature, which passed without the 
consent of the Trustees, is intended to enlarge the number of 
their body from the charter number of twelve, to that of twenty- 
one, and contrary to the provisions of the charter gives the ap- 
pointment of the nine additional Trustees to the Governor and 
Council and also gives to the Governor and Council the power 
to fill all vacancies that may occur previous to, or during the first 
meeting of the said Board of Trustees; and declares, that the 
Trustees as constituted by said act, shall hold, use, exercise and 
enjoy all the powers, authorities, rights, property, etc., which have 
hitherto been possessed, enjoyed and used by the Trustees of 
Dartmouth College. Unless we greatly err, these and other pro- 
visions of said act, if carried into operation without any trial by 
jury, without any forfeiture judicially declared, and without our 
consent, are palpable violations of the contract between the 
Government and the Grantees under the charter of 1769, and 
thus far, a revocation of the grant to the Trustees of Dartmouth 
College, and their successors. 

If the act under consideration has its intended operation and 
effect, every literary institution in the State will hereafter hold 
its rights, privileges and property, not according to the settled 
established principles of law, but according to the arbitrary will 
and pleasure of every successive Legislature. 

We cannot see the expediency of accepting the provisions of 
the said act, considering the circumstances under which it passed, 
and considering the unwieldy number of Overseers and Trustees 
it proposes, and the great increase of expense it will necessarily 
occasion. 

After much consideration we are decidedly of opinion, that the 
act before recited is unconstitutional, and that its tendency, in 



694 Appendix. 

point of precedent and principle, is dangerous to the best inter- 
ests of society, and to those principles on which depend the 
prosperity of all the civil and literary institutions of our country. 
We, therefore, deem it our indispensable duty to resolve, and it 
is hereby 

Resolved, That we the Trustees of Dartmouth College do not 
accept the provisions of an act of the Legislature of New Hamp- 
shire approved June 27th 181 6 entitled ''An act to amend the 
Charter, and enlarge and improve the Corporation of Dartmouth 
College,'' but do hereby expressly refuse to act under the same. 



APPENDIX E, 



REMONSTRANCE OF THE UNIVERSITY TRUSTEES. 

To the Rev. Francis Brown, Nathaniel Niks, Thomas W. Thomp- 
son, Timothy Tartar, Elijah Paine, Charles Marsh, Asa 
McFarland, John Smith and Seth Payson: 
Gentlemen: Whereas by a law of the State of New Hampshire 
entitled "An Act to amend the charter and enlarge and improve 
the Corporation of Dartmouth College" passed June 27th, 1816 
it is among other things provided that the Corporation heretofore 
known by the name of Dartmouth College should hereafter be 
known by the name of Dartmouth University; and that the first 
meeting of the Trustees under said Act should be holden at Han- 
over on the 26th of August instant; 

And whereas the undersigned are duly constituted members 
of the Board of Trustees of said Dartmouth University in con- 
formity to the provisions of said Act; 

And whereas his Excellency the Governor of said State did in 
compliance with the requisitions of the Act aforesaid summon a 
meeting of the Trustees of said University to be holden at Han- 
over on the 26th instant; in obedience to which summons the 
undersigned did convene and meet at this place for the purpose 
in conjunction with the other Trustees of said University of 
carrying the provisions of said Act into effect; 

And whereas you the said Francis Brown [and others as above] 
being at Hanover aforesaid on the 26th instant were immediately 
and individually addressed by a line from his Excellency notify- 
ing you of the time and place of our meeting as aforesaid, and 
requesting your attendance as Trustees of said University at 
Judge Woodward's Treasury office with the undersigned for the 
purposes aforesaid, to which note you have until this time dechned 
an answer; and whereas the undersigned did by a committee 
from their own body wait upon the Rev. Francis Brown to know 
whether or not you designed to meet with them for the purpose 
of attending to the concerns of the University aforesaid, to which 
committee the Rev. Francis Brown as your organ replied that it 
was not at that time determined either to conform to the Act 

695 



^96 Appendix. 

aforesaid or to resist the same as illegal and not binding upon 
you as Trustees of Dartmouth College but that when you should 
finally determme upon one or other of the alternatives you would 
immediately mform the undersigned of the course you adopted- 
And whereas you have this morning transmitted to his Excel- 
lency a paper signed by Thomas W. Thompson purporting to be 
a resolve of the Trustees of Dartmouth College signifying your 
non-acceptance and rejection of the provisions of the Act afore- 
said, and your explicit and peremptory refusal to act under the 
same J 

And whereas the undersigned have strong reasons to believe 
that you m assummg to act as Trustees of Dartmouth College 
intend to proceed in the administration of the concerns of the 
Institution against the consent of the undersigned, and in defi- 
ance of the Act aforesaid ; 

These are therefore to remonstrate against anv and all pro- 
ceedmgs and transactions exclusively yours in relation to said 
Institution since the 26th day of August instant. 

The undersigned do further in consideration of the premises 
make their solemn protest against any and all resolves acts 
transactions, matters and things already done or to be done by 
you the said Francis Brown [&c.J as Trustees of Dartmouth Col- 
lege and since the said 26th day of August, A. D. 1816. 

And we do hereby protest against the same as illegal and of 
no effect. 

And we do hereby earnestly exhort you forthwith to desist 
from all and every act, matter and thing contravening the pro- 
visions of the Act aforesaid. 

Gov. Plume R, 
Dr. Josiah Bartlett, 
Joshua Darling, 
William H. Woodward, 
Levi Woodbury, 
Dr. Cyrus Perkins, 
Aaron Hutchinson, 
Daniel M. Durell, 
Stephen Jacob, 
Henry Hubbard. 
Dartmouth University, August 28th, 1816. 



APPENDIX F. 



CONTRACT 

BETWEEN DARTMOUTH COLLEGE AND THE NEW HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE 
OF AGRICULTURE AND THE MECHANIC ARTS. 

This Agreement, made and concluded this seventh day of 
April, 1868, by and between the New Hampshire College of 
Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, by their Trustees, of the 
first part, and Dartmouth College, by their Trustees, of the second 
part, witnesseth: 

That the party of the first part, under the authority of an Act 
of the Legislature of New Hampshire, approved July 7, 1866, 
entitled, "An Act to incorporate the New Hampshire College of 
Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts," and with a view to promote 
the usefulness of said institution; and in consideration of the 
agreem.ents and contracts of the party of the second part, here- 
inafter contained, do hereby covenant and agree to locate, and 
do locate and establish the said Institution at Hanover, in this 
State, in connection with Dartmouth College. This location 
and agreement, between the parties, being subject to be termi- 
nated, upon a notice of one year, given by either party, at any 
time after fourteen years from July 7, 1866, as provided in said 
Act, or on a notice of one year, given in the month of July, 1874, 
by either party. 

And in consideration of the above, the party of the second part 
agree with the party of the first part, that they will cordially 
co-operate with them in promoting the purposes for which the 
New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts 
was established; and they covenant and agree that so long as 
said Institution shall be located at Hanover, in connection with 
Dartmouth College, they will furnish, so far as shall be desired 
by the party of the first part, recitation and lecture rooms for the 
use of the said New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the 
Mechanic Arts, and will allow the students thereof the same 
privileges, as to the libraries, laboratories, apparatus and mu- 
seums of Dartmouth College, as are now granted to the members 
of the Chandler Scientific Department, for all which the party 

697 



698 Appendix. 

of the first part shall pay to the party of the second part such sum 
as may, from time to time, be agreed on; and if, in this regard, 
any differences of opinion shall arise between the party of the 
first part and the party of the second part, the matter shall be 
referred to the Governor of New Hampshire, whose decisions 
shall be final. 

And it is further agreed, between the party of the first part 
and the party of the second part, that so far as the services of 
the members of the Faculty of Dartmouth College shall be 
needed, and can properly be rendered, in carrying out the pro- 
gramme of instruction in the New Hampshire College of Agricul- 
ture and the Mechanic Arts, they shall be at liberty to render 
such service, and they shall receive from the party of the first 
part the same compensation that is now given them for a like 
amount of instruction in the Chandler Scientific Department. 

And it is also agreed, if the services of any professor in the 
New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts 
shall be desired in Dartmouth College, it may be rendered on 
the same terms, provided the Trustees of the New Hampshire 
College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts shall deem it 
compatible with the interests of said Institution. 

And it is further agreed, by and between the parties to this 
indenture, that for the purpose of insuring not only wise appoint- 
ments but a harmonious co-operation between all the teachers 
and Faculty of the several Associated Institutions, located at 
Hanover, a unanimous vote of the Trustees of the New Hamp- 
shire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, present and 
voting at any regular meeting, shall be required for the election 
of a Professor in said College, seven members being a quorum 
for this particular purpose. And it is further agreed, by and 
between the parties to this indenture, that so far as deportment 
is concerned, the Laws of Dartmouth College shall be binding 
upon the students in the New Hampshire College of Agriculture 
and the Mechanic Arts. 

And it is further agreed, by the party of the second part, that 
should any property, of whatever sort, fall to the Trustees of 
Dartmouth College, by the will of the late David Culver, devoted 
by said will to the purposes of agricultural instruction, in con- 
nection with Dartmouth College, the Trustees of the said College 
will use the said property in accordance with the provisions of the 
will, with all due respect to the wants of the students of the New 



Appendix. 



699 



Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, and 
to any other object contemplated by the said College. 

And the party of the second part do particularly agree, that 
should there be in the property coming to them by the will of 
David Culver, aforesaid, a farm at Lyme, in the State of New- 
Hampshire, given by the said David Culver for the purpose of 
an experimental farm, they will, if requested in writing by the 
party of the first part, furnish to them such reasonable portion 
of said Culver farm and the buildings thereon, as may be needed 
for an experimental farm, to be managed under the general 
direction of the party of the first part. And in case said Culver 
farm does not come into the possession of the party of the second 
part, they agree that they will hereafter co-operate with the 
party of the first part, in any reasonable way, in procuring the 
use of an experimental farm, if desired by the party of the first 
part. 

And it is finally agreed, by and between the parties to this 
indenture, that the terms of connection between the New Hamp- 
shire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts and Dart- 
mouth College may, at any time, be changed, by consent of both 
the parties aforesaid. 

Agreed to and executed by the parties aforesaid, the day and 
year aforesaid. 



Asa D. Smith, 
Z. S. Barstow, 
Nath'l Bouton, 
Geo. W. Nesmith, 
Anthony Colby, 
P. B. Day, 
Edward Spalding, 



..i Asa D. Smith, 
^ ^ Frederick Smyth, 
s^'-g J. D, Lyman, 
S "^ John B. Clarke, 
C. C. Hutchins, 
Edward Spalding, 
Anthony Colby, 



■§1 

^5 i 



^ ^ s -s 
^ ^ « ^ 



^ ^o 



o*.h 



'o ►§ .^ 'S 
<X) Co J* ^ 



APPENDIX G. 



CIRCULAR OF R. GRAVES. 

The Agent for the Proprietors of the Bridge, now building over 
Connecticut River in Hanover near Dartmouth College, submits 
for consideration the following statement: 

That the People in the neighbourhood of Hanover and those in 
the Towns of Vermont which are situate north and westward 
of Hanover, wish to continue their Connections and enlarge their 
business with the Merchants in Boston, and by improving the 
means of intercourse, to increase and render the connection more 
advantageous. The transport of Goods from Boston to Hanover, 
etc., and remittances back in produce have hitherto been expen- 
sive uncertain and hazardous by means of the badness of the 
Road from the River Merrimack over the hight of land to Han- 
over, and on that account many of the Traders have purchased 
their goods at New York, and transported them from that place 
by water. This also has been expensive slow and hazardous, 
and must continue so, notwithstanding the efforts which have 
been made for facilitating the means of water carriage on the 
Connecticut River. 

Hanover is situate about 130 miles from Boston, about 100 
m.iles of which between the two Towns, the road is excellent, 
30 miles are bad and in some seasons almost impassable. Some 
persons of enterprize prompted by the desire already mentioned, 
and unwilling to wait for the ordinary improvements of the Road 
by population of the Country and highway taxes, have petitioned 
the legislature of New hampshire to grant them the privilege 
of making a turn-Pike Road from Merrimack River to Hanover. 
This Grant will undoubtedly be made at their next session; and 
the object accomplished with all convenient dispatch, — provided 
Gentlemen of property are disposed to encourage the under- 
taking, as they undoubtedly will; Whenever this shall take place 
we may presume to say, that the road from Boston to Hanover 
will not be exceeded by any other Road of equal distance in 
N England. The mouth of White River in Vermont is but a 
few miles from the aforesaid Bridge in Hanover, and the road 

700 



Appendix. 701 

between very good. The Course of said White Riv^er is south- 
easterly, and it flows through a fertile Country, which is rapidly 
increasing in population: The Inhabitants in its neighbourhood 
and on its Banks are enterprizing. The Road on this River, 
from its mouth to its source, which is within a few miles of Onion 
River may be made as good as on any River whatever. The 
Onion River also flows through a country which is very fertile 
and rapidly increasing in population, and empties into Lake 
Champlain at Burlington bay at the distance of seventy miles 
from Hanover; There is now a good Road on the Bank of this 
River from its source to its confluence. Thus we have in pros- 
pect a most advantageous opening from Boston through a long 
extent of Country, growing populous, and most of it fertile quite 
on to the british dominions in Canada. 

It is not at present easy to calculate what share of the fur 
trade now opening to the United States may be commanded 
through this channel. It is highly probable, however, that it 
would be so considerable as to enhance the advantages of the 
communication already described to an important degree. 
Good calculators are of opinion that the Inhabitants of the 
extensive Province of upper Canada which is increasing fast in 
population, will on account of their situation, as the Treaty 
lately made with the British will allow them, draw most of their 
foureign supplies from the United States; Two circumstances 
strongly concur to justify this opinion. The Country within the 
British dominions between there and the sea is rough and unfa- 
vourable to cultivation. It extends eastward a great distance 
to the Sea and on account of the extent as well as roughness of 
the Country eastward of them, their prospects of procuring sup- 
plies from their own sea ports, by land carriage must be very 
faint, as well as remote. The River St. Lawrence which flowes 
through that Country is long and empties into the Sea at a great 
distance to the northward, so that they do not, it is said, make 
but one European voyage in each year. It may be an object 
well worth the attention of the Merchants in Boston, if these 
calculations are just to open a channel of communication with 
the province of upper Cannada. 

The Bridge now erecting over Connecticut River is a very con- 
siderable link in the great chain of connection. Its being situate 
at the head of the proposed turn Pike Road, and near the conflu- 
ence of White River with the Connecticut uniting the most 
important Road through New Hampshire to Boston, with that 



702 Appendix. 

through the most fertile parts of Vermont to the waters of Lake 
Champlain render it of the greatest importance to the above 
event. And its being the first wheal set in motion toward effect- 
ing the grand object, cannot, but opperate as a stimulous to 
excite the people in Vermont to use every exertion to make the 
Roads leading to the aforesaid Bridge as good as possible: And 
also to influence the Legislature and people of New hampshire 
to encourage the enterprise. 

If the above statements are just the aforesaid Bridge will not 
only promote the object hinted at, but will in itself be very pro- 
ductive to its owners. This appears evident from three impor- 
tant circumstances: 1st from the rapid increase of wealth and 
population in that Country 2^ from the amazing increase of 
traviling, by means of a turnPike Road, and the improvements 
which are constantly making in that new Country on other 
Roads, and 3*^ its being situate so near Dartmouth College. The 
Proprietors aforesaid, in order to facilitate the effecting of the 
object contemplated, in the fore going statement, wish to interest 
some gentlemen in the Town of Boston in the afore mentioned 
Bridge. And for that purpose as well as to convince any who 
may be disposed to purchase, that the Proprietors are not pros- 
ecuting a scheme of deception or speculation, their Agent, in 
behalf of said Proprietors, submits to the Consideration of Gentle- 
men in Boston, the following proposals 

1st They wish to dispose of one half the shares in said Bridge 
and no more 

2^ Good and sufiicient titles to the shares shall be made by proper 
conveyance to purchasers previous to any advances of pur- 
chase money 

3** In order to render secure those purchasers who have not had 
opportunity of being acquainted with the prospects of ad- 
vantage from said Bridge the Proprietors will if requested 
covenant to warrant that the neat proceeds from the toll 
shall amount to at least eight or nine per centum per annum 
for the three first years after the bridge shall be completed. 
It is presumed that after the expiration of three years the 
neat proceeds will be from ten to twenty per centum per 
annum. 

R. Graves, Agent for the Proprietors. 



INDEX 



INDEX 



Absences, 267, 277, 390. 
Academic Department, 205, 340, 380. 
united with Chandler School, 
477f- 
Academy building, 230, 231, 382. 
Accounts settled, 5. 
Acting president, senior professor to 

serve, 197:381,472,477. 
Adams, Daniel, 182. 

Ebenezer, professor of mathe- 
matics, 17, of languages, 60; 
ability, 63; reply to Governor, 
III; removed by University, 
112; address to public, 115; re- 
signs, 235; also mentioned, 69, 
95, 106, 135, 177, 179, 196, 197, 
202, 212, 224, 249, 261, 268, 
546, &08, 612. 
Ephraim, 251. 
John, 317. 
Melvin O., 473, 489. 
W. B., 135. 
Adelphian Society, 203, 204, 205, 

534- 
Admission, requirements, 201, 290, 
376, 399; by certificate, 40of; 
without Greek, 438, 499; to 
Chandler School, 295, 425, 498; 
to Tuck School, 497. 
Aegis, The, See Newspapers. 
Agricultural College, See New Hamp- 
shire College A. and M. A. 
Agricultural School suggested, 220, 

293- 
Aiken, Charles A., 300, 337, 340, 343. 
Henry O., 570. 
John, 132, 234. 
Silas, 299. 
Aikens, Asa, 230. 
Alden, Mrs. Abigail, 32. 
Ebenezer, 685. 
Samuel, 24. 
Alden's Hall, 523. 
Alexander, Archibald, 8, 205, 540, 

572. 
Alien, H. N., 392. 
Ira B., 365. 
J. P., 685. 



Allen, Samuel C, 128. 

William, professor in Univer- 
sity, 115, president, 115; 
preaches election sermon, 155; 
closes University, 164; seeks 
delay in suit, 165; salary, 170, 
172, 173; favors settlement, 
goes to Bowdoin, 175, 186; 
President Wheelock's execu- 
tor, 180; suggests Overseers, 
188; also mentioned, 119, 122, 
134, 135, 136, 146, 150, 151, 
158, 167, 176, 259, 314, 682, 
683, 684. 
Mrs. William, 126, 169. 

Alpha Delta Phi Society, 267, 387. 

Alumni associations, general 306, 
584; local, 485, 584; of secre- 
taries, 584. See also Alumni 
Representation; also Memo- 
rial. 

Alumni representation, proposed plan 
and answer, 379; trustees di- 
vided, 380; they propose plan, 
its acceptance, 380; first elec- 
tions, 381; second movement, 
455~47o; Councillors proposed, 
456; report postponed, 457; 
committees of conference, 
459; plans proposed, 459; dis- 
cussion with trustees, and 
change in charter, 460-468; 
proposal of Trustees adopted, 
468; results of plan and elec- 
tions, 469, 470. 

Alumni responsibility, 485. See other 
alumni headings, also Me- 
morial. 

Alvord, James C, 203. 

Ames, David, 685. 

Amusements, 276. 

Anatomy, 212; appropriation, 262. 

Anderson, John, 685. 

Andover Academy students, 251. 

Annis, J. B., 222. 

Antinomian Society, 534, 535. 

Anti-slavery agitation, 251-255. 

Apparatus, chemical, 209, 289; phys. 



705 



7o6 



Index. 



ical, 286f, 374; Special Topic, 
607-610; early gifts, and place, 
607; clock, 608; increase, 608; 
Appleton and Shattuck gifts, 
608, 609; telescope, 609; Wilder 
laboratory, 609; astronomical 
instruments, 610. 

Appleton, President of Bowdoin, 194. 
Samuel, 265, 266, 286, 293. 

Aqueduct association, 196. 

Archer, S. H., 135. 

Armistead, Lewis A., 493, 

Atherton, Charles H., 637. 

Athletics, beginning, 373; association, 
394; control of, 482; Alumni 
Oval, 483. See also Boating. 

Atkinson, Theodore, 506. 

Austin, Benjamin, 129. 

James T., 99, 166, 684. 

Averill, Eliphalet, 641. 

Ayer, R. H., 172, 186. 

Baccalaureate. See Commence- 
ment. 
Babcock, Josiah, 48. 
Backus, Charles, 8. 

Simon, 540. 
Badger, William, 684. 
Bailey, Mark, 337. 
Bainbridge, Commodore, 97. 
Baker, Alpheus, 223. 
Baldwin, Cyrus, 251. 

Thomas, 684. 
Barrett, James, 367, 378, 463. 

William E., 612. 
Barron, AsaT., 365. 
Barstow, J. W., 279, 325, 334, 366. 

Z. S., 234, 699. 
Bartlett, Edwin J., 430, 500. 
Elisha, 262. 
Ezra, 684. 
Ichabod, ill, 124, 130, 140, 179, 

637, 682. 
Josiah, 94, I II, 182, 682. 
J.H.,395- 
J. P., 251. 
Joshua, 686. 
Richard, 686. 

Samuel C, President, 413; inau- 
guration, 413; difficulties re- 
garding Chandler School, 423; 
break with Faculty, 430; me- 
morial of N. Y. alumni, 431; 
investigation, 432; charges 
against, 433; exonerated, 434; 
improves park, 450; resigns, 
470; action of Trustees, 471; 
lecturer on bible, death, 471; 
also mentioned, 345, 369, 378, 
449, 465, 466, 569. 
Mrs. S. C, 448. 
Bartlett Hall, (Y. M. C. A.), 448, 449- 
Barton, Sophia, 223. 



Bascom, Susanna, 32. 

Uriel, 24. 
Baseball, 373. 
Batchelder, Samuel, 167. 
Batchellor, A. S., 364. 
Bath house, 273. 
Bayard, Thomas F., 440. 
Bean, Ivory, 346. 
Beecher, Henry W^ard, 574. 
Beede, Thomas, 171, 683. 
Belknap, Jeremy, 575, 582, 601, 607, 

615. 
Bell, college, 224, 370, 492; Special 

Topic, 611-613. 
Bell, Charles U., 381, 456. 

John, 219. 

John, Jr., 172. 

Joseph, 135, 637, 639. 

Samuel, vetoes aid for Univ., 173; 
messages, 185, 187, 219; also 
mentioned, 103, 131, 149, 436, 
440. 

Samuel D., 546. 
Bentley, William, 684. 
Benton, Elisha, 649, 655. 
Berkeley, Bishop, 540. 
Biblical exercise, 215, 216. 
Billings, Frederick, and Mrs., 419. 
Bingham, Harry, 434, 464, 467. 
Bisbee, Marvin D., 443, 448, 513. 
Bissell, Mrs. Amelia, 32. 

George H., 346. 

Isaac, Jr., 133, 135. 
Bissell Hall. See Gymnasium. 
Black, Frank S., 494. 
Blaisdell, Daniel, 261, 273, 350, 402, 
403, 548, 605, 661, 666. 

Daniel, 620. 

Elijah, 664. 
Blanchard, Amos, 548. 
Blanpied, Benjamin T., 419. 
Bliss, Lemuel, 48. 
Blodgett, Caleb, 419. 

Isaac, 450. 
Blood Brook, 368. 
Boardman, H. J., 417, 418. 
Board of Preachers, 502. 
Boating, 310, 393. 
Bond, Henry, 512. 
Bordwell, Abraham, 48. 
Bouton, Nathaniel, 323, 324, 352, 353, 

380,381,413,699. 
Bowen, A. O., 405, 406. 
Bowler, John W'., 495. 
Bowman, Joseph, 22. 
Boyd, Charles H., 301. 
Boyden, W. C, I35- 
Brackett, A. K., 67. 
Bradford, Ephraim A., 68. 
Breck, Daniel, 686. 
Brewster, Amos A., 81, 90, 97, 120, 
126, 127, 128, 136, 175, 196, 
206, 237, 272, 576, 663, 665. 



Index. 



707 



Brewster, Ebenezer, 10, 11, 24, 632, 
651, 665. 
Jacob W., 620. 

Bridge, burned, 310. See also River. 

Brigham, Lincoln F., 381. 
Paul, qg, 129, 6S3. 

Britton, Abiathar G., 81, 82, 135. 

Bronson, O. A., 535. 

Brown, Ebenezer, 135, 540. 

Francis, President, 78; recog- 
nized by legislature, 80; cor- 
respondence with Gov. Plu- 
mer, 93-96; courage, 106; 
offered presidency of Hamilton 
College, 107; charges against, 
III; removed by Univ., 112; 
tries to arrange for Com- 
mencement, 127; issues ad- 
dress, 144; trip for College, 153; 
invited to "College Congress", 
155; fatal illness, 189; death 
and funeral, 190; character, 
191 ; also mentioned, 83, 84, 91, 
92, 100, 105, no, 115, 119, 120, 
122, 126, 130, 135, 138, 141, 
142, 143, 147, 151, 154, 158, 
162, 167, 176, 177, 194, 197, 
218, 229, 419, 473, 525, 682. 
Francis, grandson of President, 

472, 491, 503. 
Francis (heathen boy), 566. 
Samuel G., professor of rhetoric, 
261, of int. phil. and pol. 
econ., 340; address to alumni, 
306, at centennial, 366; presi- 
dent of Hamilton College, 
343; death, 442; also men- 
tioned, 243, 304, 307, 313, 387, 
388, 511, 548, 550, 551, 555, 
559, 574, 612. 
Mrs. Susan A., 512. 

Brown Hall, 122, 220. 

Bryant, Mary C, 338, 512. 

Buildings, occupied during contor- 
versy, 121, 122, 209; new con- 
struction, 221; need of, 259; 
repairs, 284, 285, 369; light- 
ing, 383, 384; heating, 205, 385; 
dormitories, 486-489; as in- 
vestments, 494. See also 
named halls: Academy, Bart- 
lett, Brown, Butterfield, chap- 
el. Chandler, College, Conant, 
Crosby, Culver, Dartmouth, 
Elm, Fayerweather, gymna- 
sium, Hallgarten, Hospital, 
Massachusetts, Medical, Meet- 
ing house, Nathan Smith lab- 
oratory. New Hampshire, New 
Hubbard, Proctor, Reed, Rich- 
ardson, Sanborn, Thornton, 
Tuck, Wentworth, Wheeler, 
Wilder, Wilson. 



Bullard, H. C, 419. 
Burbank, Peter, 638. 
Burchard, Jedediah, 248, 249. 
Burgess, Ebenezer, 198. 
Burleigh, George W., 343, 378, 379, 
380,381,391. 

Micajah C, 449. 
Burnap, John, 649, 650. 

W. L., 456, 439. 
Burns, Robert, 685. 
Burr, Sanford S., 317, 318, 319. 
Burroughs, Eden, 7, 22, 35, 50, 51, 

52, 53, 54, 56, 59, 60. 
Burton, Asa, 28, 32, 48, 109, 128, 136, 

545- 
Bush, George, 247. 

John, 653. 
Buswell, Caleb, 686. 
Butler, Josiah, 67, 87, 104. 
Butterfield Hall, 482, 484, 488. 
Butterfield, Ralph, 251, 484. 

Cabbel, William, 540. 

Cabbot, — , 20. 

Cabinet and museum, 209, 258, 260; 
Special Topic, 601-606; first 
gifts, 601 ; mineralogical spec- 
imens, 602, 603; place, 603, 
605; Hall cabinet, 604; Nine- 
veh slabs, 604, 605; collection 
of birds, 605. 

Cadets. See Military Companies. 

Cage, The, 452. 

Calendar, 200, 243, 344, 339, 377. 

Campbell, Gabriel, 442. 
John, 686. 

Canals. See River. 

Cap and Gown, 583. 

Carpenter, Josiah, 48. 

Carpenter shop, 452. 

Carrigan, E. C.,457. 

Carter, Elijah, 276. 

Nathaniel H., 115, 133, 134, 
135, 136, 164, 172, 173, 174, 
175, 176, 510, 684. 

Casque and Gauntlet, 539; house, 
452. 

Catalogue, 205, 339, 423; Special 
Topic, 596-600; first, 596; its 
Latin, 596; triennial, quin- 
quennial and general catalogue, 
597; annual, 597; of Medical 
School, 598; contents, 599. 

Catalogue of L-niversity, 129; of Med- 
ical Institution, 129; complete 
catalogue, 682-686. 

Celebrations, fourth of July, 124, 303; 
political, 273; Washington's 
birthday, 337; centennial, 362f ; 
fall of Richmond, 374. See 
also Daniel Webster. 

Cemetery lane, 385. 



7o8 



Index. 



Centennial, preparation, 363; pro- 
gramme, tent for exercises, 
364, accommodations, 365; pro- 
cession, 366; interruption, 367; 
of Medical School, 481. 

Certificate system. See Admission. 

Chamberlain, Mellen, 421, 512. 

William, professor, 202; treasu- 
rer and contractor, 221; di- 
rects construction, 222; death, 
225; preceptor Moor's School, 
229; also mentioned, 204, 211, 
212, 229, 234, 256, 539. 

Chandler, Abiel, bequest, 293; 295, 
329, 422, 424, 478, 479- 
Charles H., 562. 

Chandler Faculty, 298, 344, 354> 409, 
422, 423, 426, 427, 429. 
funds, 203, 407. 
hall, 489, 504. See Academy. 

Chandler School, gift for, 293; Visit- 
ors, 294; established, 295; 
administration, 296, 298; in- 
struction in, 296; compensa- 
tion to teachers, 297, 345; 
difficulties, 299; President 
Lord's plan, 297, not adopted, 
302; called Department, 339; 
proposed union with Agl. Col- 
lege, 354; Visitors veto, 355; 
results, 356; building enlarged, 
382; gifts to, 399; controversy 
over, 421-436; early manage- 
ment, 421; admission, 422, 
424; grounds of criticism, 423; 
change in administration, 424; 
consolidation with Academic 
Department, 477f; require- 
ments increased, 498. See 
also Visitors. 

Chandler Scientific Department. See 
Chandler School. 

Chapel exercises, conduct of, 198; 
custom of, 389; time of, 389. 
See also Hours of Exercises, 
and Vesper Service. 

Chapel, of 1790, 9, moved, 222; in 
Dartmouth Hall, 221, remod- 
elled, 312, general use, 416; 
Rollins chapel, 4i7f, cost, 419, 
dedication, 419, on fire, 420, 
enlarged, 459. 

Chapman, G. C, 597. 
Juniah, 45. 

Chapin, Stephen, 48. 

Charity bonds, Charity fund, 206, 
225. 

Charlotte, Princess, 190. 

Charter, amendment proposed, 86; of 
University, 87-89; protest 
against, 89; changes, 461 ; oppo- 
sition to changes, 463. 



Chase, A. R., 686. 
Carleton, 548. 
Charles P., 444. 
Dudley, 99, 684. 
Frederick, ix, 402, 404, 444. 
Hall, 686. 
Henry B., 684. 
Horace, 685. 
Jonathan, 640. 
Salmon P., 306, 366. 
Stephen, 254, 261, 270, 280, 292, 

299- 
William M., 233, 234, 450, 459, 
463, 465, 466, 467, 503. 

Cheever, J. B., 535. 

Chemistry, instruction in, 212, 215, 
255; apparatus, 209, 289. 

Cheney, B. P., 415, 416. 

Child, Willard, 246. 

Chi Phi Society, 387. 

Chipman, Daniel, 544. 
Nathaniel, 638. 

Chirography, 241. 

Choate, Rufus, 132, 135, 167, gradu- 
ation, 177, 205, eulogy on Web- 
ster, 304-306, 308, death and 
eulogy by Perley, 309; 639. 

Christian Association (Y. M. C. A.) 
building. See Bartlett Hall; 
also Religious Societies. 

Christian Fraternity. See Religious 
Societies and Bartlett Hall. 

Church and Ball, 222. 

Church Council, ex parte, 27; mutual, 
40; dismissed Burroughs, 53. 
See Church of Christ, etc. 

Church, John H., 56, 57, 194, I99>. 
202. 

Church of Christ at Dartmouth Col- 
lege, origin, 7; meeting house; 
see the word; form of govern- 
ment, 8, 42; pamphlets relat- 
ing to it, 9, 80; desires Shurt- 
leff as pastor, 18, 21; two 
branches, 20; division, 22; 
meetings, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 45; 
ex parte council called by 
east branch, 27; proposed in- 
dependent organization, of Do- 
than branch, 28; opposition of 
Wheelock, 29; proposed arbi- 
tration, 31; council organizes 
"Church in Vicinity of Dart- 
mouth College", 32; difficul- 
ties, 32, 36; mutual council, 
38, 40; results, 41; differ- 
ent interpretations, 42; east 
branch, 45; dual organiza- 
tion, 45; Wheelock turns to 
Trustees, 47; memorial of min- 
isters, 48, 51; Burroughs in 
Dothan branch, 52; east 
branch applies to Orange As- 



Index. 



709 



sociation, 54, Dothan branch 
to Londonderry Presbytery, 
56; invites Professor Moore as 
pastor, 57; later pastors, 215, 
235, 246, 247, 248, 250; tem- 
perance vote, 269; change in 
service, 389; required attend- 
ance abandoned, 502; board 
of preachers, 502. 

Civil War, 315; effect on College, 316, 
320. 

Claggett, Clifton, 684. 
William, 207. 

Clark, Luther, 686. 
L. W., 457- 
Samuel, 685. 

Clarke, Greenleaf, 453. 

John B., 352, 399, 699. 

Class day, 307, 376, 583. 

Cleaveland, Professor, 602. 

C!erg>', favorable to College, 109, 
censures Faculty, 250; alien- 
ated, 322; interest regained, 

345, 409- 

Cleveland, Charles D., 208, 517. 

Clinton, DeWitt, Jr., 642, 644. 

Clock, 210, 224, 387, 492. 

Coal, 385- 

Coburn, L. S., 551. 

Coe, E. B., 440. 

Co-education, 391. 

Cogswell, William, 263, 264, 266, 481, 
548, 549, 550- 

Colby, Anthony, 291, 352, 699. 

James F., 443, 464, 465, 466, 467, 
477, 530, 531- 

College cases, first suggestion of trou- 
ble, 64; suit instituted, lio; 
hearing at Haverhill, 123, at 
Exeter 123; decision at Ply- 
mouth, 130; appeal to U. S. 
Supreme Court, 138, 141; Web- 
ster as counsel, 138; fear of 
Judge Story, 142; new actions, 
143, 145, 192; argument at 
Washington, I46f; report of, 
151, 168; anxieties, I52f; cases 
in Circuit Court, 154, 159; spe- 
cial verdicts, 159; decision at 
Washington, 160, 163; charges 
of bias in Court, 161; news at 
Hanover, 163; decision in later 
cases, 166. 

College Cavaliers, 31 7f. 

College color, 373. 

College Congress, 155. 

College cry, 373. 

College Hall, 487. 

Color distinction, 208. 

"Come-outers, " 258. 

Commencement, in 1815, 71; in 1816, 
92; in 1817, 127; in 1818, 158; 
in 1819, 177; in 1821, 197; in 



1853, 304; in 1854, 306, 307; 
in 1858, 308; in i860, 309; in 
1869, 363-368; in 1882, 440; 
date of, 200, 243, 244, 339, 
574; Special Topic; 571-584; 
early character, 571, 572; lit- 
erary exercises, 573, 574; time 
and place, 574, 578, pro- 
gramme, 575, 579; procession, 
and "Bedle," 576; music, 576, 
577; dinner, 578; baccalaure- 
ate, 579; rank, 580; foreign 
languages, 580; conferring de- 
grees, 582 ; gowns and diplomas, 
583; class day, 583. See also 
Centennial, 
addresses. See Commencement, 
appointments, 242, 243, 313, 

334, 376, 377, 575- 
ball, 158, 269, 579. 
dinner, 241, 365. See also Com- 
mencement. 

Committees, of meeting house pro- 
prietors 12; of church, 23, 24, 
31; of Trustees on President's 
petition, 35, its report, 47; of 
Hanover and Dothan churches, 
54; of Orange Association, 54; 
of church to present its case, 
57; of legislature on Whee- 
lock's memorial, 67, 68; of 
investigation, 68, its meeting, 
71, its report, 85; on College, 
85; special, 87; on University 
finances, 172; prudential of 
Trustees, 212, 262; on state 
of College, 213; financial, 404; 
on investigation, 431; of alum- 
ni, 378, 456, 457, 459, on 
athletic field, 482; of legisla- 
ture on Agricultural College, 
453; of Trustees for conference 
with alumni, 458; standing 
committees, 476; of Trustees 
and Faculty on Chandler 
School, 477. 

Common, levelled and fenced, 241; 
road across, 270, 395; short- 
ened, 395. 

Commons, 487. 

Commons Hall, 144, 145, 208, 487, 

Conant Hall, 357, 360, 409, 455. 

Conant, John, 359. 
William, 48. 

Conner, Phineas, S., 482. 

Cook, Lemuel, 135. 

Cooke, Phineas, 548. 

Coolidge, Judge, 527. 

Cossit, Ranna, 601. 

Councillors, 456, 459, 462, 464. 

Counsel for College, 124, 138, 139; 
fees, 178; portraits, 178, 246. 



710 



Index. 



Counsel for University, 124, 139, 

159; fees, 155, 160, 171. 
Course of study, 201, 238, 241, 244, 

480. See also Electives. 
Crane, John, 446. 
Cremation of mathematics, 393. 
Crosby, Alpheus, 209, 210, 234, pro- 
fessor, 235; retirement, 291; 
292, 299, 517, 535, 548, 559, 
579, 596. 
Alpheus B., 328, 362. 
Dixi, 261, 262, 270, 271, 343, 362, 

450, 486, 548, 660, 661, 662. 
Nathan, 268, 269. 
Stephen M., 493. 
Thomas R., 343, 356, 487. 
Crosby House, 450, 486, 504. 
Cross, David, 531. 
Crowninshield, B. W., 99, 129, 684. 
Culver, David, 347, 348, 349, 351, 
354, 357, 358, 359, 381. 
Mrs. David, 348, 349, 357, 358, 
359- 
Culver Hall, 358, 359, 360, 381, 409, 

434, 455, 504. 
Currier, D. B., 445, 446, 447, 450. 
Curtis, David, 11, 12. 
Jonathan, 533, 556. 
Joseph, 619, 651, 653. 
Silas, 619. 
Cushing, E. D. 685. 
Cutler, Calvin, 136. 
Cuts. See Absences and Excuses. 

Dana, Daniel, 64, 128; elected and 

inaugurated president, 194, 

health fails, 195, resigns, 195; 

biographical note, 196; 218. 

James F., 193, 206, 207, 212, 215, 

602, 603. 
Judah, 129, 684. 
Sylvester, 28, 32, 251. 

Daniel, Warren F., 453. 

Daniel Webster professorship. See 
Professorships. 

Daniels, Frank W., 231, 489. 

Darling, Joshua, 94, in, 169, 171, 
186, 682, 684. 

Dartmouth Adelphi, 532. 

"Dartmouth Clubs," 485. 

Dartmouth, Earl of, 490, 511. 

Dartmouth Hall, heating, 205, 386; 
repairs, 221, 223, 224, 284, 285, 
312, 369; lighting, 384; burned, 
489; rebuilt, 490; laying of 
corner stone, 49of; also men- 
tioned, 6, 121, 132, 210, 220, 
258, 260, 277, 282, 328, 334, 
338, 365, 370, 416, 473, 474, 
487, 488, 492, 501, 504. 

Dartmouth Night, 493, 494, 501, 502. 

Dartmouth, The. See Newspapers. 



Dartmouth University. See Univer- 
sity. 
Davis, Daniel, 92. 

John, 686. 

J. C, 344, 380, 406, 460, 465. 

Moses, 598. 
Davison, F. W., 387. 
Day, Pliny B., 299, 352, 699. 
Day, President of Yale, 153. 
Dean, of Medical School, 388; Aca- 
demic, 390, 477, 583. 
Dean, James, 115, 121, 133, 134, 135, 

136, 164, 172, 173, 175, 684. 
Dearborn, Henry, 99, 684. 

H. A. S. 99, 684. 
Debt, 180, 220, 224, 225, 286, 329, 

402; of Moor's School, 229. 
Degrees, 437, 438, 440, 480, 499. 
Delameter, John, 261, 262. 
Delta Kappa Epsilon Society, 259, 

310, 446. 
Democracy of College, 501. 
Democrats, 65, 66, 81, 82. 
Departments of instruction, 212. 
Derby, Elias Hasket, 601. 
Dewey, Abigail, 223. 

Benoni, 12, 21, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 
54, 57, 657- 

Luke, 629. 

Mrs. Sabra, 32. 

William, Jr., 24. 

William W., 519, 572, 657. 
Dickinson, David, 48. 

Reuben, 657, 658. 
Dimond, Ezekiel W., 356, 358, 359, 

384, 385. 
Diplomas, medical, 194; 582, 583. 
Discipline, 200, 236, 274, 277, 280, 

282, 371, 372, 397. 
Dixwell, John J., 294. 
Dothan. See Hartford, Vt. 
Dormitories, 486. See also Buildings. 
Douglass, Charles Lee, 316. 

Frederick, 251. 
Dow, Edward, 358, 360. 
Do we, Peggy, 32. 
"Draw land," 227. 
Dresden, 618, 628, 649. 
Dunbar, Elijah, 683. 
Duncan, Samuel A., 363, 365, 367. 

William H., 236, 272, 304, 305, 
363, 548, 639, 646, 664, 666. 
Dunham, Gershom, 29. 

Josiah, 51, 66, 69, 70, 72, 80, 152, 
545, 576, 579- 
Dunklee, Abraham, 24. 
Dunster, Edward S., 344. 
Durell, Daniel M., 86, 94, 96, 97, 99, 
III, 682. 

J. S. H., 134. 
Durkee, John, 81, 82, 97, 135, 174. 
Dutton, Asahel, 29. 

John, 29, 45. 



Index. 



711 



Dutton, John M., 449. 

Samuel, 29, 32, 45. 

Thomas, 29. 
Duvall, Justice, 149, 160. 

Eastman, Charles A., 492. 

Ira A., 299, 323, 352, 380, 425. 

Moses, III, 169, 682. 
Eaton, H., 251. 

Tilton, 48. 

WilHam, 611. 

W. G., 392. 
Edmunds, Senator, 467. 
Eclipse of the sun, 289. 
Electives, 375, 438, 439, 498. 
Electricity. See Lighting. 
Elkins, Jeremiah, 685. 
Ellis, John M., 266. 
Elm House, 487, 504. 
Elocution, instruction in, 337. 
Emerson, Charles P., 343, 347, 367, 
374, 375, 477, 500. 

Jo.seph, 452. 
Episcopal influences, 257; church 

building, 388; society, 256. 
Etna, 82. 
Evans, George H., 531. 

Israel, 22, 261. 
Examinations, 239, 262; written, 375, 

390. See also Admission. 
Examining committee, 240, 375. 
Excuses for absence, 390. 
Executive officers. See Faculty. 
Expenses, 201. 

Experimental farm. 5ee New Hamp- 
shire College A. and M. A. 
Experiment station, 361, 453, 455. 

Faculty, 17, 63, name adopted, 214; 
changes in, 60, 192, 202, 211, 
215, 234, 261, 262, 263, 291, 
299, 340, 344, 429, 441, 443; 
attitude in controversy, 106; 
issue address, 112; censured by 
church council, 250; "Aca- 
demical," 262; oversight of 
students, 277 ; not to hold polit- 
ical office, 341; enlarged, 481, 

504- 
Faculty of University, 115, 684f. 
Fagging, 594. 
Fairbanks, Arthur, 443. 
Drury, 48. 
Erastus, 664, 668. 
Henry, professor, 300; change in 
chair, 340, 341; trustee, 343; 
proposes to test change in 
charter, 463-467; gift, 605; 
also mentioned, 380, 449. 
Fairfield, John, 653. 
Farley, Stephen, 117, 520. 
Farrar, Humphrey, 10, 29, 32, 35, 47. 
Lucy, 32. 



Farrar, Timothy, 24, 51, 59, 63, 104, 
108, 112, 202, 682. 
Timothy, Jr., 168, 201, 215, 221. 

Faxon, John Lyman, 418. 

Fayerweather, Daniel B., 483, 484. 

Fayerweather Hall, 487, 488. 

Federal Library, 515, 516. 

Federalists, 66, 81, 82. 

Fees, 587. See also Library and 
Counsel. 

Fence, 224, 241 ; removed, 387. 

Ferries. See River. 

Field, Henry M., 344. 

W. A., 381, 456, 457, 459- 

Finances, 2, 4, 100, loi, 177, 180, 192, 
219, 225, 264, 286, 315, 329, 
344, 345, 402, 407, 414, 416, 
474, 504; of the University, 
155, 156, 169-174. See also 
Subscriptions. 

Fines, 211, 213, 214, 215, 267, 278, 

587- 

Fires, in medical building, 184, 310; 
in other buildings, 357, 383, 
386; in Rollins chapel, 420; in 
the Fayerweathers, 488; in 
Dartmouth Hall, 490, 601; 
in village, 310, 444, 445; pro- 
tection against, 275. 

"Fishing," 525. 

Fitch, John, 48. 

Flagpole, 307. 

Fletcher, Horace, 685. 
John, 686. 
Richard, 137, 203, 290, 299, 345, 

404, 405. 
Robert, 361, 392, 450, 477, 612. 
Samuel, 299. 

Fogg, George G., 512. 

Folsom, Joseph, 306. 

Foot, George, 11. 

Football, 371, 372. 

Forbes, John, 652. 

Foster, Davis, 473. 

Stephen S., 252, 253. 

Fourth of July. See Celebrations. 

Fowler, Bancroft, 48. 

Fox, Charles, 686. 

Fraternities, Greek letter, 267, 535, 
536; houses, 387; meetings, 
388, control of, 501. 

Freeman, Jonathan, 13, 15, 51, 81. 
Peyton, R., 53, 80. 

Freshets, 311, 358, 368, 632, 640. 

Frost, Carlton P., 344, 362, 387, 469, 
472. 

Fuller, Caleb, 21, 26, 29, 32, 38, 54, 

57- 
Seth, 29. 
Fullerton, William, 434. 

Gale, D., 185. 

Galusha, Jonas, 129, 683. 



712 



Index. 



Gamma Sigma Society, 535. 

Garrison, William Lloyd, 253. 

Gas plant, 384, 385. 

Geology and mineralogy, 209, 255; 
chair of 258, 261 ; lack of books 
212. 

Gibbs, Harvey, 29, 45. 

Gifford, A., 506. 
J. P., 395- 

Gifts and bequests, Appleton, 266, 
286; Bond, 512; Bissell, 346; 
Brown, 512; Bryant, 338; Bur- 
leigh, 449; Butterfield, 484; 
Chamberlain, 512; Chandler, 
293; Cheney, 415; Clarke, 399; 
Conant (to Agricultural Col- 
lege) 359; Crosby, 493; Cul- 
ver, 348, 349; Fletcher, 404; 
Fayerweather, 483, 484; Fogg, 
512; Grimes, 399, 512; Hall, 
258; Hallgarten, 416; Haven, 
512; Kennerson, 512; Lock- 
wood, 335; Mussey, 511 ; Nine- 
vah slabs, 309, 6o4f. ; Olcott, 
178; Oliver, 511; Parker, 286, 
369, 405; Peirce, 492; Reed, 
259, 260, 344; Rollins, 417; 
Shattuck, 246, 288; Shurtleff, 
288; Slafter, 512; Smith, N., 
183; Spalding, 369, 414, 416; 
State, 183, 358, 416, 484; 
Stone, 416; Stoughton, 382; 
Thayer, 399; Thompson, 202; 
Tuck, 496, 497; Wentworth, 
405, 406; Wheeler, 100; Whee- 
lock, 5; Wilder, 484, 610; Wil- 
lard, 345; Wilson, 417; Wink- 
ley, 415, 416; gifts during 
administration of President 
Snnth, 407. See also sub- 
scriptions. 

Gilbert, B. J., 12, 19, 24, 80, 123, 135, 
146, 153, 196. 

Gilman, John Taylor, 51, 59, 60, 63, 
65, 66, 73, 75, 77, protest, 78; 
attitude in contest, 82; 92, 96; 
resigns, 176, 201, 682. 

Gilmore, Joseph A., 334. 

"Girl island," 651. 

Gofle, Joseph, 542. 

Goodell, William, 196. 

Goodenow, David, 685. 

Goodrich, Chauncey A., 147, 149. 

Gordon A., 132. 

Gough, John B., 271. 

Gove, C. F., 132. 

Graves's Hall, 523. 

Graves, Rufus, 632, 654, 656. 

Gray, William, 684. 

" Great Awakening," 281 . See Horn- 
blowing. 

Greek, 214, 215; not required for 
admission, 438, 499. 



Greek letter societies. See Frater- 
nities. 
Gregg, J. A., 207, 686. 
Green, Jane, 32. 

John S., 24. 
Josiah, 24. 

Green, The. See Common. 
Greene, Benjamin, 99, 684. 

Benjamin F., 685. 
Grimes, James W.. 399, 527. 
Griswold, W. A., 99, 684. 
Grosvenor, Cyrus P., 132, 135. 
Group System, 499. 
Grout, Solon, 248. 

Gymnasium, 346, 376, 417, 452, 455, 
remodelled, 482; new, 495, 504. 

Haddock, Charles B., professor, 203; 
representative in legislature, 
255 ; change of chair, 261 ; diplo- 
matic service, 300; death, 314; 
activity for railroads, 664; also 
mentioned, 211, 212, 247, 272, 
274, 387, 511, 535, 546, 548, 
559, 580, 608. 
William T., 566. 
Haines, William P., 391. 
Hale, Benjamin, 212, 215, 221, 255, 
261, 546, 588, 603, 604. 
Enoch, 657. 
John P., 186. 
M., 104. 

Salma, iii, 139, 140, 150, 151, 
155, 156, 162, 169, 290, 314, 
637, 683. 
T. W., 67. 
Hall, Benjamin, 222. 

Frederick, gifts, 258; 260, 520, 

603, 604. 
Nathaniel, 222. 
Hallgarten Hall, 360, 486, 504. 
Hallgarten, Julius, 416, 419. 
Handel Society, 124, 156, 190, 199, 
203, 272, 304, 334, 552; Special 
Topic, 552-560; first musical 
organization and exercises, 552; 
formation, 553; vocal and in- 
strumental music, 554; musi- 
cal festivals, 555; oratorios, 
557, 558; addresses, 559; de- 
cline, 559; high character, 560. 
Hanover Inn, 447. 
Harding, Alpheus, 685. 
Hardy, Arthur S., 428, 429, 450, 451, 
Harris, Heman, 601. 

John, III, 115, 171, 682. 
Walter, 48. 
Harrison, William Henry, 271, 559. 
Hartford, Vt., 8, 20, 24. 
Hartwell, Jonas, 540. 
Harvey, Jonathan, 683. 

Matthew, 94, 208, 682, 683. 
Haskell, Alanson P., 386. 



Index. 



713 



Hatch, Horace, 145, 146, 192. 

Joseph, 649, 655. 
Hatch vs Lang, 146. 
Haven, Mrs. Charlotte M., 512. 

Jacob, 48. 

Nathaniel A., 68, 70. 
Hayes, Alonzo, 251. 

Francis B., 294, 360. 
Hazard, Ebenezer, 615, 616, 617. 
Hazen, Asa, 29. 

Hezekiah, 24, 29, 31, 45, 54. 

John v., 531. 

Philemon, 29, 45. 

Reuben, 29. 

Solomon, 29, 31, 45. 
Healy, John P., 415. 
Heath, Solyman, 203. 
Heating, 205, 385, 386; plant, 475. 
Hebrew, 214, 256. 
Hedge, 285, 387, 500. 
Henderson, P., 67 
Hersey, Austin, 685. 
Hibbard, Charles B., 337. 

Harry, 661. 
Higi^ins, Jesse. 24. 
Hildreth, J. L., 482. 
Hill, Howard F., 473. 

Isaac, 65, 66, 74, 152, 176, 187, 
206, 207, 637, 663, 666. 

William, 686. 
Hill and, Moore, 146. 
Hilliard, A., 532, 533, 576. 

George S., 205. 
Hinckley, C. S., 135. 

Oramel, 208. 
Hitchcock, C. H., 358, 606. 

Mrs. Emily H., 259. 

Hiram, 381, 384, 385, 393, 440, 
447, 452, 453, 466, 469, 495- 

Mrs. Mary Maynard, 496. 
Hobart, James, 48. 
Holbrooic, Amos, 553. 

John C, 664. 
Holland, Samuel, 607. 
Holmes, John, 139, 140, 146, 149, 150. 

Oliver Wendell, 262, 308. 
Honors, 242; memorial concerning, 
314; restored, 334; new system, 
439- 
Hood, J. E., 255, 269, 270, 271. 
Hopkins, Ernest M., 493. 

John, 478. 
Hopkinson, Joseph, 138, 139, 142, 
143, 146, 147, 149, 150, 153, 
159, 160, 168, 178, 246. 
Hopkinton Association, 109. 
Hornblowing, 278f. 
Home, H. L., 392. 
Hospital, M. H. M., 495. 
Hotel, Dartmouth, 445; Wheelock 

and Hanover Inn, 447, 488. 
Hours of exercises, 199, 209, 210, 312, 
383, 388, 389. 



How, Lyman B., 344, 362. 

Howe, George, 215, 235, 246, 250. 

Zadoc, 685. 
Howe Library, 449. 
Hubbard, Henry, 94, 96, 97, in, 179, 
207,. 666. 
John, professor, 17; supports 
Wheelock, 25; joins in petition 
to Trustees, 33 ; death, 60; issues 
catalogue of library, 509 ; prom- 
inent in music, 553; musical 
library, 553; also mentioned, 
26, 30, 36, 37, 40, 43, 45, 54f 
56, 100, 203, 555, 556, 607, 
608. 
Jonathan H., 11, 69, 135, 140, 

290, 683. 
Oliver, 685. 

Oliver P., professor, 261 ; oversee* 
construction of observatory,. 
288; resigns, 340; length of serv- 
ice, 442; arranges Hall cabi- 
net, 604; secures Nineveh slabs 
608; also mentioned, 258, 289, 
337, 548, 602. 
Samuel, 234. 
S. G. 604. 
Hubbard House, 504. 
Hubbard Musical Society, 156. 
Hudnut, Joseph A., 286. 
Hunter, E. H., 495. 
Hurd, John, 607. 
Hutchins, C. C, 699. 
Hutchins and Wheeler, 441. 
Hutchinson, Aaron, 81, 82, 94, 632, 
642, 643, 654, 682. 
Henry, 81, 132, 134, 135, 136, 
146, 184, 554, 682. 

Independent Confederacy, 532. 

Indians, sent home, 229; again 
desired, 231 ; continued instruc- 
tion, 232; Commencement 
speaker, 306; C. A. Eastman, 
492. 

Ingalls (Ingols) Chester, 21, 24, 26, 
29, 32. 
Mrs. Sylva, 32. 

Ingraham, Friend, 29, 45. 

Inspector, work of, 284; becomes 
superintendent of buildings 
and grounds, 477. 

Insurance, 224. 

Intemperance, 267, 306, 563. See alsa 
Temperance. 

Internal affairs, 199, 266, 334. 

Jackson, Levi, 67. 
W. C, 569. 

Jacob, Stephen, 35, 50, 51, 59, 60, 62, 
63, 73, 75, 77, 78, 86, 92, 94, 
III, 119, 152, 202, 682. 

James II, 540. 



714 



Index. 



Janitors, 386. 
Jarvis, J. R., 686. 
Jewell, Harvey, 378. 
Johnson, Diodate, 506. 

Osgood, 351. 

Richard M, 272, 273. 
Johnson, Justice, 152, 153. 
Johnston, Michael, 628. 
Joy, J. F., 441. 
Junior exhibition, 335. 

Kappa Kappa Kappa Society, 267, 

388. 
Kellogg, Gardiner, 48. 

Jabez, 21, 26, 29, 32, 
Kellogg, Judge, 527. 
Kelley, John, 290, 299. 
Kelly, William, 134. 
Kendall, Amos, 533, 534, 622. 
Kendrick, Stephen, 135. 

William, 664. 
Kenerson, Mrs. Addie E., 512. 

A. H., 512. 
Kent, Chancellor, 152, 153, 161, 168, 

198. 
Kent, George, 367. 
Keyes, Homer E., 495. 
Kimball, B. A., 478. 

Elijah, 126. 

Mrs. Elizabeth, 32. 

Increase, 24. 

Jacob, 24. 

Stephen, 26, 29, 31, 32. 
Kincaid, Thomas W. 392. 
King, Cyrus, 683. 
Kingsford, Howard N., 476. 
Kinsman, Aaron, 24, 28, 540, 624, 

631, 632, 635. 
Kirkland, George W., 552. 

Samuel, 491, 580. 
Kirkland, President of Harvard, 142. 
Kittredge, Jonathan, 304. 
Knowlton, Ebenezer, 24. 

Larabee, Benjamin, 381, 407. 
Ladd, William, S., 434, 464. 
Lambert, Nathaniel, 28, 48. 
Lane, Ebenezer, 11. 
Lang, J. S., 125, 126, 127. 

Richard, 11, 19, 24, 144, 145, 
146, 249, 633, 634. 

Mrs. Sarah, 32. 
Langdon, John, 683. 
Lathrop, John, 619. 
Latin Scientific Course, 437, 438, 480, 

499. 
Law Department, 263, 405, 407. 
Laws, of College, 199, 214; Special 

Topic, 589-595- 
Laws, N. P., 237 

Solomon, 237. 
Leavitt, Dudley, 253. 
Lectureships, 343, 471. 



Ledyard, John, steamboat, 645. See 
also River. 

Lee and Pollen, 369. 

Leeds, S. P., 334, 389, 416, 482, 502. 

Legge, Lady Dorothy, 490. 

Legislature, proceedings on charter, 
85-90; in 1816, 104; in 1817, 
123; appropriations for medical 
building, 183; pays Dr. Smith, 
184; attends laying corner 
stone of Culver Hall, 358. 
See also "State" under gifts. 

Lenox, Robert, 605. 

Leonard, Abiel, 493. 

Letters: Allen to Morse, 122; to 
Marsh, 165; to Pickering, 186; 
Brown to Parrar, 104; to 
Plumer, 93, 94, 95; to Smith, 
105; Dana to Brewster, 206; 
Dewey to Smith, 21; Dutton 
to Hanover Church, 31 ; Parrar 
to Brown, 108; Fletcher to 
Brown, 137; Gilbert et al. to 
Shurtleff, 19; Gilman to Brown 
176; Hale to Allen 150; to 
Plumer, 151, 162; to Wood- 
ward, 139; Hanover church to 
Smith, 21; Hazen to Hanover 
church, 30; Holmes to Allen, 
150; Hopkinson to Brown, 162; 
to Marsh, 143; to Webster, 139; 
Hovey to family, 211; Laws to 
Laws, 237; Lord to Trustees, 
232, 325; McParland to Brown, 

92, 108; Marsh to Allen, 165; 
to Brown, 83, 84, 91, 92, 107, 
108, -no, 139, 154; to Olcott, 
159; to Shurtleff, 105; Mason 
to Marsh, 79; Murdock to 
Brown, 142; Mussey to Brown, 
91; Olcott to Webster, 188; 
Paine to Brown, 105, no; 
Parish to Plumer, 131; Perkins 
to Allen, 161 ; Plumer to Brown, 

93, 94,95, 119; to Parish, 131; 
to Storer, 140; Quint to Pres- 
cott, 427; Rogers to Fletcher, 
129; Sanborn to Trustees, 284, 
441; J. Smith to Brown, no; 
N. Smith to Shattuck, 107, 
183; A. D. Smith to Bouton, 
353; to Walker, 352; Thomp- 
son to Adams, 69; to Brown, 
83; Tucker to Chase, 463; 
Tyler to Olcott, 198; D. Web- 
ster to Brown, 138; to McGaw, 
152; to Marsh, 141; to Olcott, 
188; to Smith, 163; E. Webster 
to D. Webster, 520; Wheelock 
to Dewey, 37; to Trustees, 73; 
White to Brown, 142; Willard 
to brother, 282. 

Lettsom, Dr., 602. 



Index. 



715 



Lewis, Joseph, 650, 655, 656. 

Libby, Jeremiah, 616, 617. 

Liberty party, first vote in Hanover, 
254; its organ, 255. 

Library, size, 132; proposed sale, 144, 
146; place of, 204, 260; appro- 
priations for, 212, 241, 286, 
288, 496; fees, 214, 529; use of 
337> 398; united with society 
libraries, 398, 529; Special 
Topic, early gifts, 506, 509; 
location, 507, 512; charges, 
507, 508; hours, 508; librarian, 
507, 508, 513; catalogue, 509; 
seized by Univ., 509, 510; gifts 
and appropriations, 511, 512, 
538; losses by stealing, 528; see 
also Societies, Literary, and 
Wilson Hall. 

Lighting, 383, 385; lighting plant, 

T • ^ '*75- 

Linberg, , 241, 242. 

Lincoln, Abraham, 323. 

Literary fund, 174, 187, 207, 219, 220. 

Little, James, 24. 

Levi, Jr., 99, 684. 

Literary Societies. See Societies. 

Livermore, Arthur, 92, 684. 

Livingston, Justice, 152. 

Lockwood, LeGrand, 335. 

Long, Clement, professor, 205; death, 
300; 315, 551- 
Samuel, 127, 156, 554, 556. 

Longfellow, Henry W., 575. 

Longley, Rufus, 685. 

Lord, George D., 443. 
H. C., 370. 
John, 48; also 343. 
John K., 535; his son, 444, 472, 

473, 477, 493, 503, 53i- 
Nathan, trustee, 202; president, 
218; financial agent, 219; car- 
ries on subscriptions, 220; sug- 
gests inventory, 225; action in 
Moor's School 229, 230; report 
on scholarship, 238; discon- 
tinues honors, 242; favors anti- 
slavery, 253; changes views, 
255; urges filling theological 
chair, 263; term of service, 
290; plan for Chandler School, 
297; plan opposed, 301; over- 
ruled in appointments, 302; 
advice as to enlisting, 317; 
prayer, 318; pro-slavery views, 
321; publications on slavery, 
321, 322; outside effect, 322; 
resolutions against, presented 
to Trustees, 323; action of 
Trustees, 323; resignation, 325; 
death, 328; administration and 
character, 328f; also men- 
tioned, 205, 214, 217, 221, 366, 



374, 511, 535, 548, 550, 551, 

583, 640, 662. 
Lyman, Elias, 657. 
Elijah, 28. 
Job, 145, 146, 192. 
John D., 352, 699. 
Simeon, 532, 533. 

McCall, S.^muel W., 456, 493. 

McClure, David, 22. 

Samuel, 21, 26, 29, 32, 619. 

McDonald, Donald, 419. 

McFarland, Asa, 48, 59, 60, 61, 63, 
64, 71, 80; remonstrance to 
legislature, 87; 88, 89, 108, 
112, 188, 202, 556, 682. 

McGaw, Jacob, 152. 

McKenzie, A. A., 477. 

Madison, President, 544. 

Mails, Special Topic, 614-626; early 
carriage of letters, 614; post- 
roads and riders, 615-620; 
postal system, 618, 619; first 
postmaster at Hanover, 619; 
laterroutesand stages, 625, 626. 

Making up, 213, 277. 

Maltby, John, i. 

Mann, Cyrus, 647. 

Mann, tutor, 59. 

Mansfield, John S., 26, 29, 32. 

Marking system, 213, 241, 375. 

Marsh, Charles, 59, trustee, 63; 71, 72, 
80; member of Congress, 83; 
86, 91, 92, 104, 105, 107, 108, 
no; removed by University, 
112; 139, 141, 142, 144, 145, 
146, 153, 154, 159, 165, 192, 
199, 202, 212, 221, 229, 290; 
death, 290; service for College, 
299; 527, 540, 682. 
Joseph, 649. 
Lyndon, A., 299, 323. 

Marshall, Chief Justice, 148, 149, 153, 
160. 

Marston, Gilman, 363. 

Alary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital. 
See Hospital. 

Mason, Jeremiah, U. S. senator, 83; 
counsel for College, 124, 130; 
chosen trustee, 176; fee, 178; 
also mentioned, 78, 81, 140, 
141, 143, 146, 147, 149, 150, 
167, 191, 246, 638. 

Massachusetts Hall, 488. 

Mathewson, Charles F., 233, 234, 464, 
465, 466, 467, 468, 482, 491. 

Mead, S. B., 685. 

Medical building, i83f; on fire, 185, 
310; remodelled, 382. 

Medical Department, 205, 340. See 
Medical School. 

Medical Faculty, reorganization, 192; 
215, 261^ 292, 343. 



716 



Index. 



Medical School, graduates, 128, 158; 
catalogue, 129; rivalry, 181; 
State attempts control, 182; 
organization of Faculty, 192; 
delegates of N. H. and Vt. 
Medical Societies, 194; 209, 
261 ; members in Civil War, 
320, 340; private instruction 
in, 362, 388; gifts to, 407; 409; 
fourth year added, 440; 442, 
446; centennial, 481; advance 
of requirements, 495. 

Meeting house, 9-12; used by Col- 
lege, 12; withdrawal of stu- 
dents, 13; proposed control by 
Trustees, 49; changes, 235; 
repaired, 249, 369; lighted, 384; 
enlarged, 452. 

Memorial, ministers to Trustees, 
48; Wheelock to legislature, 
66, 671, 674; alumni to Trus- 
tees, 314; N. Y. alumni, 431. 

Memorial Hall, 378. 

Merrill, Epaphras, 24, 32. 
Joseph, 685. 
Lemuel, 685. 
T.A.,75, 78, 543,581. 

Merrimack County Conference, res- 
olutions of, 322. 

Meteor, 157. 

Meteorology, 311, 368. 

Military companies, Zouaves, 316, 
Cavaliers, 317, Cadets, 392; 
service in Civil War, 320; edu- 
cation, 391. 

Miller, James, 685. 
Oliver, 273. 

Mineralogy. See Geology. 

Ministry scholarships. See Charity 
Funds. 

Mink Brook, 197, 238, 368. 

Mischief, 276, 283. See Discipline. 

Missionary enterprise, 196. 

Mitchell, Edward, 189, 208. 

Modern languages, 241, 300. 

Monroe, President, visits Hanoveri 
125-127. 

Montgomery, L. C, 392. 

Moody, D. L., 67. 
Stephen, 186. 

Moor Hall, 489. 

Moore, Clinton, H., 606. 
H. L., 456. 

Zephaniah S., 57, 60, 63, 198, 
202, 486. 

Moor's Charity School, 68, 76, 78, 
116, 159, 169, 172, 208, inter- 
est in Wheelock, 228-230; its 
building, 231; progress of 
School, 232; dissolution, 233; 
327, 328, 382; gifts for, 407; 
448, 510, 582, 593. 



Morey, Israel, 615. 
Samuel, 646, 647. 

Morrill, David L., 48, 99, 207, 683. 

Morris, George S., 340. 

Morrison, William, 683, 685. 

Morse, Charles M., 493. 
Jedediah, 122. 
Parker, 271. 

Morton, L. P., 273, 441, 450. 

Murdock, James, 202. 
T.J.,142. 

Museum. See Cabinet. 

Music in church, 12. See Handel 
Society. 

Mussey, Reuben D., holds with 
College, 106; resigns, 261; 
financial management, 262; 
activity in temperance cause, 
268; gift to College, 511; musi- 
cal abilities, 554; promi- 
nence in musical affairs, 556; 
otherwise mentioned, 91, 127, 
156, 183, 192, 258, 520, 588. 

Nathan Smith Laboratory, 310, 
488,_ 495. 

Natural history, 255. See Profes- 
sorships. 

Negroes, admitted, 208, 332. 

"Negro Island," 629, 630. 

Nesmith, George W., 133, 135, 175, 
299, 352, 380, 408, 415, 431, 
453,581,665,699. _ 

New Hampshire Bible Society, 419. 

New Hampshire College of Agricul- 
ture and the Mechanics Arts, 
establishment, 347-360; Culver 
will, 347; action by legislature, 
349; offer by Dartmouth, 
350; legislative act, 351; 
Trustees hesitate, 352; agree- 
ment, 354; vetoed by Visitors, 
355; second agreement, 355, 
697; Faculty, 356; admission 
and course of study, 357; Cul- 
ver Hall, 358; experimental 
farm, 354, 359; buildings, 360; 
gifts to, 407; relations un- 
satisfactory, 453; bequest to, 
454; sells property and re- 
moves to Durham, 455; also 
mentioned, 348, 350, 361, 362, 
363, 381, 391. 392, 409, 411, 
422,432,449,483. 6'eeConant 
and Culver Halls. 

New Hampshire Hall, 488. 

New Hampshire Medical Society, 
194. 

New Hampshire professorship, 344, 
345, 415- 

New Hubbard House, 488. 

New Ipswich Academy, 100, 340. 



Index. 



717 



Newton, George, 553. 
David, 659. 

Newspapers and Magazines: Aegis, 
336, 358; American, 81; Bos- 
ton Courier, 322; Boston Rep- 
ertory, 64, 69; Christian 
Observer, 567; Concord Ga- 
zette, 65, 67, 80, 81; Concord 
Herald, 619; Congregational- 
ist, 443; Dartmouth Ga- 
zette, 64, 65, 81, 102, 121, 
122,532,533, 620; Dartmouth, 
The, 266, 336, 392, 396, 462, 
537; Eagle, 12; Exeter Watch- 
man, 130; Family Visitor, 283; 
Home Missionary Monthly, 
569; Liberator, The, 253; Lit- 
erary Tablet, 543; Literary 
Miscellany, 543; Magnet, The, 
266; Missionary Herald, 569; 
New England Historical and 
Genealogical Register, 549; 
New Hampshire Gazette, 615; 
New York Statesman, 175; 
"Old Grimes," 282; Panoplist, 
. 567; Patriot, 65, 66, 73, 80, 
82, 97, 127, 176; People's 
Advocate, The, 255, 269; 
Phoenix, 336; Portsmouth 
Gazette, 65; Portsmouth Ora- 
cle, 65; Vermont Journal, 135, 
618, 626; Washingtonian, 66. 

Nichols, David L., 189. 
Ernest Fox, 505. 

Niles, Nathaniel, 51, 59, 62, 63, 65, 
68, 80, 84, 86, 96, 112, 201, 682. 

Ninevah slabs, 309, 385, 604, 605. 

Northern Academy, Society of, 263, 
399; Special Topic, 548-551; 
organization and object, 548; 
library, 549; decline, 550; 
disbanded, 532, 551. 

Norwich University, 181. 

Noyes, Daniel J., professor, 291, 299, 
313, 315, 334; change of pro- 
fessorship, 343; acting presi- 
dent, 381; 410; resigned, 441; 
death, 442; 449. 
Jeremiah, 542, 543. 
Parker, 92. 
Samuel, 251. 

Nutt, Samuel, 645, 646. 

Observ/tory, 287, 288, 328, 374, 

409, 414, 484, 504. 
Observatory Hill, 183, 275, 369, 451, 

487. 
Octagon," 202, 234, 290. 
Odell, Richard, 67. 
Olcott, Mills, agent of Trustees, 49- 

51 ; secretary and treasurer, 99; 

demands records, 109; brings 

suit, no; in legislature, 179; 



suggests overseers, 187; trus- 
tee, 201; death, 290; buys and 
develops White River Falls, 
632-639; also mentioned, 125, 
126, 130, 135, 141, 144, 145, 
159, 173, 178, 185, 189, 196, 
198, 202, 212, 250, 257, 271, 
641, 646. 
Peter, 649, 651, 652. 
Roswell, 655. 

"Old Grimes." See Newspapers. 

Old pine, 307, 451. 

Oliver, Daniel, professor, 192, 198; 
change of professorship, 205; 
in legislature, 207; 211, 215, 
256, 258; resigned, 261; gift 
to library, 511. 
H. K., 133- 

Optional studies, 439. 

Orange Association, 54, 55, 56, 136. 

Ordronaux, John, 344, 366, 381. 

Ordway, S. S., and Co., 640. 

Organ, of chapel, 369, 419, 421, 555; 
ofchurch, 453, 555. 

Osgood, Thaddeus, 568. 

Overseers of Thayer School, 361. 

Overseers of University, established, 

86, 87; Governor and Council 
to appoint, 90; only meeting, 
99; suggested, 87, 186, 188. 

Packard, William A., 300, 343. 
Packer, Nathan, 186. 
Page, Robert, 246, 250. 

S. R.,685. 
Paine, Elijah, trustee, 63, 73, 75, 86, 

87, 105, no; removed by Uni- 
versity, 112; 178, 188, 197, 
198, 199, 202, resigns, 234; 649. 

Palaeopitus, 537. 
Palmer, Calvin, 657. 

Stephen W., 657, 658. 
Pamphlets, in controversy, 6, 9, 64, 
65, 66, 80; by Professor Cros- 
by, 272. 
Park, College, 285, 369, 450. 
Parker, Edmund, 286, 295, 511. 

Henry E., 322, 340, 385, 443, 444, 

448, 449. 
Isaac, 286, 511. 

Joel, 228, 263, 286, 295; resigns 
as trustee, 298, 299; first pres- 
ident alumni association, 306; 
315; lecturer, 343; improves 
park, 369; bequest, 405, 416; 
450; gift to library, 511; will, 
512, 548. 

Parkhurst, , 274. 

John, 686. 
Lewis, 395. 
Parkhurst Administration Building, 

387, 487- 
Parish, Elijah, 60, 64, 65, 72, 682. 



718 



Index. 



Parmalee, Elisha, 539. 
Parris, A. K., 99, 684. 
Parsons, David, 605. 

Usher, 193. 
Partridge, Alden, 181, 316. 
Pastor of college church. 5ee Church 

of Christ, etc. 
Patrick, William, 48. 
Patterson, James W., professor, 298- 
302, 315, 340; elected to Con- 
gress, 341; address at Centen- 
nial, 367; 378, 384, 385; again 
professor, and death, 481. 
George W., 449. 
Joab N., 363. 
Paul, I.F., 465. 
Payne, Elisha, 624. 

John, 15. 
Payson, Moses P., trustee, 119; 178, 
199, 202, 212; death, 234; 577. 
Seth, member of ecclesiastical 
council, 57; trustee, 60; 63, 
64, 73, 112; death, 201, 682. 
Peabody, Augustus, 177. 

David, 247, 261. 
Peaslee, Charles H., 66. 

Edmund R., 262, 380, 381, 413. 
Reuben, 237. 
Peirce, Joshua W., 492, 613. 
Pember, J. R., 434. 
Penalties, denounced, 104; effect, 106. 
Perkins, Capt., 601. 

Cyrus, 59, 81, 94, 97, joins Uni- 
versity, 106; 120, 121, 126, 
127, 133, treasurer University, 
157; 158, 159, 161, 164, 167; 
resigns as treasurer, 169; re- 
signs as professor, 177; 183, 
192, 194, 509, 532, 533, 682, 
685. 
Francis William, 316. 
Parley, Ira, 221, 225, 227, 261, 310, 

378. 
Perry, Joseph, 229. 
Peters, Absalom, 246. 

Joseph H., 349. 
Pettengill, S. B., 317. 
Phalanx, Dartmouth, 272, 276. 
Phelps, Amos A., 251. 
Daniel, 631. 

Edward E., 263, 292, 343, 382. 
Phelps Bar, 631. 

Phi Beta Kappa Society, 132, 177, 
203, 267, 268, 308; Special 
Topic, 539-547; organization, 
539; charter, 540; medal, meet- 
ings, and membership, 542, 
547; initiation fee, 543; anni- 
versary, 544; dinner, 545; de- 
cline, 546; revival, 547. 
Phi Delta Theta Society, 446. 
Phillips fund, 42, 58, 61, 69,71, 102, 
291. 



Phillips, John, 58, 607. 
Wendell, 306. 

Phillips professorship, 8, 9, 215, 263, 
291,471. 

Philoi Euphradias, 533. 

Philotechnic Society, 399, 529. 

Phi Sigma Society, 203, 204, 534. 

Phi Zeta Mu Society, 446, 536. 

Phoenix, The. See Newspapers. 

Pickering, William, 172, 186, 188. 

Pierce, Benjamin, 102, 637. 

Pierce, Governor, message, 207. 

Pierrepont, J. H., 182. 

Pillsbury, J. W., 251. 

Parker, 253, 254, 255. 

Pinkney, William, 159, 160, 161, 
163. 

Pinneo, Joseph, 310. 

Pitman, J., 172, 185. 

"Pitched land," 227. 

Plumer, William, 66, elected gover- 
nor, 83; message, 85; corre- 
spondence with Brown, 93-96; 

119, 124; does not meet Pres- 
ident Monroe, 125; 131, 140, 
143, 150, 162, 175, 176; fare- 
well message, 185; 682. 

William, Jr., 208. 
Political Interests, 65, 81, 83. 
Politics in College, 307. 
Pollens, Louis, 430, 443, 513. 
Poole, James, 67, 81, 86, 90, 97, 104, 

120, 121, 126, 127, 184, 206, 
651. 

Poor, Daniel, 533, 534, 567. 

John M., 610. 
Porter, Ben, 633. 
David, 641 . 
Ebenezer, 198. 
Joseph, 122. 
Micajah, 48. 
Nathaniel, 615. 
Portraits. See Counsel. 
Potter, Isaiah, 28, 32, 48. 
Powers, S. L., 233. 
Prayers, time of, 210, 312; evening 

given up, 313. 
Prentiss, Samuel, 202, 685. 
Prescott, Benjamin, 67. 

B. F., 381, 413, 447, 465, 466. 
William, 604. 
Presbyter>', Grafton, 8, 15, 24, 52, 54; 

Londonderry, 56. 
President's reports, 216, 217, 283, 

401; house, 449. 
Price, Ebenezer, 48. 
Prices of building materials, 222; of 

board and labor, 223. 
Prizes, 203, 243, 335, 399; Fletcher, 

404. 
Proctor House, 488, 504. 
Proctor, John C, 343, 430, 437. 



Index. 



719 



Professorships, Appleton, 266; Che- 
ney, 415; Daniel Webster, 415, 
416; Evans, 261; Greek and 
Latin Languages, 202; Hall, 
258, 604; Modern Languages, 
300; Natural History, 342 ; New 
Hampshire, 344, 415; Parker, 
445; Rhetoric and Oratory, 
202; Stone, 415; Willard, 345, 
481; Winkley, 415. 

Prouty. Charles A., 464, 465, 466. 

Pruden, , 45. 

Prudential committee. See Commit- 
tees. 

Psi Upsilon Society, 267, 388, 446. 

Punchard, George, 248. 

Putnam, Israel W., 194, 202, 213. 
John N., 292, 299, 301. 

Quarter days, 203, 242, 335. 

Quimby, Elihu T., 340, 363, 379, 385, 
386. 

Quint, Alonzo H., trustee, 378, 380, 
391, 408, address at dedica- 
tion of chapel, 420; 431, 434; on 
committee of conference, 457; 

477- 
Wilder, D., 491. 

Raid. See Temperance. 

Railroads; Special Topic, 663-668; 
first charter in N. H., and prev- 
alent feeling, 663; convention 
of tovvns in Conn, valley, 664; 
interest in road to Boston, 
664; routes proposed and char- 
ter, 665; change in state pol- 
icy, and charters given, 666; 
Northern Railroad, 666; 
opened to Lebanon, 667; roads 
to Canada, 667, 668. 

Ramsay, Alexander, opens medical 
school, 181, 182. 

Rand, Hamlin, 636. 

Ransom, Gen., 273. 

Rawlinson, Sir Henry, 605. 

Raymond, Daniel, 511. 

Read, Alexander, 553. 

Reading room, 204, 338, 518. 

Recitation rooms, 122, 210, 387. 

Reconstruction under President 
Tucker, 474, 476, 483f. 

Records, 99; returned, 177. 

Redington, E. D., 456. 

Reed Hall, 258, description, 259, 260; 
285, 309, 328, 338; repainted, 
369; equipped with gas, 384; 
with steam, 385, 386; 417; 
books removed, 421. 

Reed, Charles, 378. 
W. E., 449. 
Mrs. William, 260, 261. 



"Refutation, etc.," 80. See also 
Pamphlets. 

Religiosi, 561. 

Religious Society, Dartmouth, 235, 
248, 561 ; in College, 561 . 

Religious Societies, Special Topic, 
561-570; Theological Society 
formed, 561; membership, 562; 
discipline, 563; amusements, 
564; meetings, and exercises, 
564, 565; missionary interest, 
566, 567; correspondence, 567; 
library, 567; anniversaries, 568; 
Society of Inquiry, 568; unites 
with Theological Society, 569; 
secretaries, 570. 

Remonstrance, of Trustees, 88, 675; 
of University Trustees, 96, 
695. 

Rent of unoccupied rooms, 284. 

Resources, 180, 225. See also Fi- 
nances. 

" Review, Candid and Analytical, " 64, 
65, 66. See also Pamphlets. 

Revivals, 8, 248. 

Rhetoricals, 267, 313, 388, 389. 

Rhetoric and Oratory. See Profes- 
sorships. 

Rich, Charles A., 494. 

Richards, Dexter, 449. 
Joel, 29. 

John, 250, 266, 550, 551, 559. 
Joseph R., 346. 

Richardson, Charles F., 441, 493, 531, 
532,613. 
Cyrus, 469. 
Daniel, F., 307. 
D. S., 405. 
James B., 459, 465, 468, 469, 477, 

487. 
(William M.) Judge, 84, 103, 185, 

639- 
Rufus B., 441. 

Richardson Hall, 487. 

Riots, arrests for, in case of libraries, 
135, in later times, 396. 

Ripley, E. W., 90, 97, 140, 155, 649, 
685. 
Sylvanus, 8. 

Rival institutions, 181, 182, 186, 207, 
208. 

River, Special Topic, 627-662; early 
trafific, 627; White River Falls, 
628, 631; Indian resort, 629; 
settlement and mill at falls, 
630, 631 ; W. R. F. Bridge Co., 
632; dams, 632f, 635, 640; 
mills, and locks, 631-634; 
difficulties, 633-638; floating 
logs, 634; tolls, 635; profits, 
638; marine railway, 638; in 
corporation, 639; loss of mills 
and dams, 640; franchise sold. 



720 



Index. 



640; dams, mills and canals, 
640-644; navigation, 641; sur- 
veys, 642, 643; legislation, 
642, 644; steamboats, 645, 
646; Morey's experiments, 647; 
boat landing, 647; ferries, 648- 
654; toll, 648; road to river, 
651 ; toll house, 651 ; rope ferry, 
651; wire ferry, 654; charter 
for toll bridge, and location, 
654; College favors, 655; op- 
position, 655; cost, 656; 
tolls, 656; construction, 657, 
700-702; second bridge, 657; 
third bridge, 658; dissatis- 
faction with management, 659; 
arrest of Professor Sanborn, 
660; bridge burned, 660; agi- 
tation for free bridge, 660-662; 
built and dedicated as "Led- 
yard Free Bridge, " 662. 

Roads, Special Topic, 614-626; early 
travel, 614; postroads, 617; 
turnpikes, 620, 622, 624, 625; 
"Country road," 620; badness 
of roads, 621, 622, 700; Fourth 
N. H. turnpike, 623, 624; river 
road, 630; road to river, 651; 
Rope Ferry road, 652. 

Robberies, 215, 274. 

Roby, Joseph, 262, 292. 

Rogers, Isaac, 652, 653. 
Robert, 628. 

Rollins chapel, 365, 416, 418, 492, 
504- 

Rollins, Daniel A., 373. 
Daniel G., 420. 

Edward A., 417, 418, 419, 420. 
Ellen Hobbs, 420. 
Susan Binney, 420. 

"Roll of Honor," 320. 

Rood House, 450. 

Rope Ferry Road, 651, 652. See 
also Roads. 

Ropes, William H., 216. 

Rose, William, 607. 

Ross, Isaac, 270. 

Jonathan (Judge), 462, 463, 466, 
467. 

Rowell, Joseph, 48. 

Rowley Assembly Room. See Brown 
Hall. 

Ruggles, Edward R., 298, 340, 344, 
422, 477. 

Rushes, 372, 387. 

Russell, Horace, 484. 

Salary, of president, 4, 10, 107, 261, 
345; of Moor's School, 229; 
of professors, 4, 180, 212, 261, 
345, 497; increase desired, 315, 
345; for work in Chandler 
School, 297. 



Salutatory, 580. 

Sanborn, Edwin D., professor, 235; 
inspector, 284; president of 
Washington Univ., 300; re- 
turns to Dartmouth, 340; res- 
ignation, 441; death, 442; also 
mentioned, 270, 275, 293, 306, 
335, 337, 363, 398, 413, 417, 
450, 486, 541, 548, 550, 559, 
660, 661, 662. 

Sanborn House, 450, 486, 504. 

Sanders, Prince, 208. 

Sanitation, 476, 486. 

Sargeant, John, 647, 650, 652. 

Sargent, Roger, 633. 

Savage, Seth, 29. 

Sawyer, Moses, 48, 104. 

Schedule of work, 238. See also 
Course of Study. 

Scholarship, 238, 241, 283. 

Scholarships, 345. 

Scientific expeditions, 374, 375. 

Scobey, D. C., 251. 

Scofield, John, 619. 

Scotch Board, 231, 232. 

Scotch fund, 76, 228, 232. 

Scott, C. W., 398, 513- 

Seal, 99; returned, 177. 

Searle, Thomas C, 115, 164, 172, 
173, 176, 540, 685. 

Senior class, vacation, 200, 377; third 
exercise required, 377. 

"Seven Nations," 237. 

Seybert Adam, 602. 

Shattuck, George C, 183; gives por- 
traits, 246; gifts, 288, 289, 
293, 511, 520, 608. 

Shedd, William, 135. 

Shepherd, Forrest, 602.' 

Sherburn, Henry, 2. 

Sherman, Frank A., 344, 531. 
W. T., 367. 

Shirley, James, 135. 
John M., 69. 

Short term, 244, 245, 339, 377. 

Shurtleff, Roswell, election as Phillips 
professor cause of quarrel, 9, 
16; relations with Wheelock, 
17, desired as pastor, 18, 21; 
as colleague, 22-24; vote of 
Trustees on ordination, 36; list 
of exchanges, 37; Wheelock's 
attempt to secure his support, 
55; attacks him in Board, 58; 
ordained, 60; reply to Gov- 
ernor, III; removed by Univ., 
112; change of chair, 215; 
resigned, 253, 261; gift to 
library, 288; reminiscence of 
Webster, 304; death, 314; also 
mentioned, 20, 32, 33, 34, 36, 
39, 40, 42, 43, 46-49, 51, 55, 
56, 58, 64, 94, 95, 105, 106, 



Index. 



721 



115, 122, 135, 136, 175, 177, 
202, 212, 235, 247, 303, 511, 
548. 

Sidewalks, 452. 

Simons, Cady, 24. 

Simpson, Ahimahaz B., 146. 

Sinclair, John E., 298. 

Sing Out, 579. 

"Sketches etc.," 64, 65, 66, 80. See 

also Pamphlets. 
Slade, Samuel, 651, 653. 
Slafter, Edmund P., 512. 
Smith, Albert, 343, 346. 

Asa Dodge, 279, 314, president, 
334; inauguration, 334; secures 
Agricultural College at Han- 
over, 340-359; also Thayer 
School, 360; ill health and 
leave of absence, 381; aims to 
raise standard, 399; proposes 
certificate plan, 401; gifts dur- 
ing his administration, 407; 
failing health, resignation and 
death, 408; administration, 
409; personality, 410; eulogy 
on, 440; 527, 566. 
Ashbel, 270. 
Elijah, 582. 
Ethan, 48. 
Gideon, 652. 

Isaac W., 448, 457, 459, 465. 
Jeremiah, 83, 105, no, 124, 130, 
140, 141, 149, 159, 161, 163, 
168, 178, 180, 246, 639. 
John, 48. 

John (Phillips professor), pastor 
8; approved by church, 15; 
relation to church, 19, 21 ; vote 
of Trustees about, 36; death, 
53; 60; also mentioned, 9, 12, 
14, 16-18, 20, 22-26, 32, 33, 
35, 38, 40, 41, 43, 45, 51, 52-54, 
57, 59, 338, 507, 508, 509, 512, 
601,614. 
John (trustee), 63, 64, 71, 73, 

112, 201, 682. 
Jonathan, 638. 
Justin H., 459. 
Nathan, 106, 183, 184, 189, 192, 

310, 446, 640. 
Nathaniel, 686. 
Noah, 156. 
Samuel, 549. 
Timothy, 653. 
Timothv Dwight, 272, 273. 
William T., 388, 482, 492. 
Smyth, Frederick, 349, 352, 699. 
Social Friends, proposal to break up 
library, 137; room, 204, 260; 
exhibition, 335; Special Topic, 
founded, 514; membership, 515; 
library, 516, dissensions, 518. 
See also Societies, Literary. 



Societies, Literary, anniversaries, 128; 
attempt to seize libraries, I32f ; 
debating, 203; time of meet- 
ings, 203; libraries, 204; anni- 
versary orator from abroad, 
205; revival of activity, 335; 
reading room, 204; manage- 
ment and consolidation of 
libraries, 398; Special Topic, 
514-538; origin, 514; member- 
ship, 515; libraries, 515-517; 
dissensions, 5i8f; secrecy, 521; 
badges, mottoes and diplomas, 
522 ; meetings, 523, 524; assign- 
ments, 524; "fishing," 525; 
dramatic entertainments, 526; 
debates, 527; protection of 
libraries, 528; vacation draws, 
529; union of libraries, 529; 
dissolution, 53of. See also 
Fraternites. 
Societies, senior, 537. 
South Hall, 357, 360, 448. 
Spalding, Charles W., 469, 482. 
Edward, 352, 369, 391, 406, 

414, 416, 431, 468, 699. 
George B., 381. 
Spectroscope, 374. 
Spelling matches, 337. 
Sphinx Society, 446. See also Senior 

Societies. 
Sprague, Philo, 223. 
Spring, Gardner, 197. 
Stages. See Mails. 
Standing committees of Trustees and 

Faculty, 476. 
Stanley, C. W., 434, 436. 
Stanniford, Daniel, 48. 
Stealing, 215, 274; from libraries, 528. 
Steamboats, 645. 
Stearns, Onslow, 359, 367. 
Steele, David, 686. 

Sanford H., 433, 434. 
Stevens, Chalmers W., 612. 

Henry, 605. 
Stickney, P. LeB., 251. 
Stiles, President, diary, 3. 
Stone, Daniel P., 416. 

Mrs. Valeria G., 416. 
Storer, Clement, 99, 140, 684. 
Storrs, Aaron, 649, 650. 

Augustus, 89, 123, 179. 
Story, Joseph, 141-143, I47, 150, 154, 

160, 161, 166, 511, 684. 
Stoughton, C. B., 316. 

E. W., 382. 
Stowe, Calvin E., 234. 
Straw, Jacob, 686. 
Streeter, Frank S., 459, 465, 469, 470. 
Streetlights, 385. 
Strong, Jonathan, 48. 
Students, number of, in 1816, 121; 
129, 220, 258, 264, 320, 328, 



722 



Index. 



344, 345, 362, 409, 486, 504; 

voting, 122; poverty, 196, 206, 

209; activities, 237, 395. See 

Teachers and Discipline. 
Subscriptions, 100, 128, 178, 206, 219, 

220, 265, 286, 315, 344, 378, 

379, 407, 414, 490. 
Suhm, Christian, 119. 

Maria, 119. 
Sullivan, George, 124, 130, 136, 140, 

171, 234, 636, 684. 
Summer school, 500. 
Sutherland, David, no, 684. 
Sweat, William, 653. 
Swift, Samuel, 117, 532. 

Taft, Charles, 685. 
Talbot, Ethelbert, 491. 
Taylor, General, 273. 

S. H, 378. 
Teachers, 244, 245, 339. 
Technical education, scheme for, 293, 
Telescope, 287, 374. See Apparatus. 
Temperance, 267-271, 370, 563. 
Temple, Daniel, 196. 
Tenney, Asa W., 434, 467. 
B. G., 132, 135. 
Elijah, 24. 
Silas, 97, 123. 
William, 270. 
Tent. See Centennial. 
Terms. See Calendar. 
Thayer, Frederick A., 336. 

Sylvanus, 260, 361, 399. 
Thayer School, 340, 360-363, 376, 
381, 407, 409, 411, 455, 480, 
497- 
Theological Society, 128, 203, 252, 
253, 267, 268. See also Reli- 
gious Societies. 
Thomas, Isaiah, 510. 
Thompson, Benjamin, 454. 
Dwinel F., 347. 
George, 251. 

Thomas W., biographical note, 
62; trustee, 63; report on 
"Sketches" 73; remonstrance 
to legislature, 87-89; removed 
by Univ., 112; death and 
bequest, 202; also mentioned, 
35, 51, 59, 69, 7»-72, 82, 83, 
91, 104, 138, 183, 188, 192, 
197, 201, 682. 
Thornton Hall, erected, 222, 224; 256; 
shingled, 285; 328, 338; used 
for Thayer School, 361; 
colored, 369; 448. 
Thornton, John, 222. 
Thurston, Daniel, 561. 
Pierson, 540. 
William, 608. 
Ticknor, Elisha, 99, 684. 
George, 118, 621. 



Tilton, Joseph, 67. 

Tobey, Edward S., 299. 

Todd, Justice, 149, 160. 

Tontine, 206, 221, 271, 310, 445, 446^ 
450. 

Torricelli, Jean B., 300. 

Tower, 451. 

Towle, G. S., 251. 

Town, Mr., 119. 

Towne, Solon R., 347. 

Townsend, Luther, 251. 

Tracy, E. C, 548. 
Ira, 569. 
Stephen, 569. 

Treasurer, 99, 201, 221, 225, 261, 404, 
444; office, 387; accounts con- 
fused, 402f. 

Tree Association, 273. 

Trustees, elect J. Wheelock president, 
3; changes in, 7, 60, 201, 234, 
290, 299; relation to meeting 
house. 12; petition of President 
33; answer, 35; report of 
committee on church, 47, 49; 
memorial of ministers, 48, 51; 
accused by Wheelock, charging 
malfeasance, 58; their reply, 
58; open opposition, 59; neg- 
lect Wheelock's petition, 59; 
refuse to ask legislative inquiry, 
61; character of Board, 1815, 
62; answer Wheelock's memor- 
ial, 67; charges against them, 
71; resolution against Whee- 
lock, 72; remove him, 75f; pro- 
test, 78; elect F. Brown 
president, 78; popular effect of 
election, 79; "Vindication," 
80; remonstrance against 
change in charter, 87, 88, 675- 
681; meeting, 1816, 92, 94; 
refuse amended charter, 95, 
687-694; secretary adheres to 
Univ. and new one chosen, 99; 
appeal for help, 99, 100; penal- 
ties denounced, 104; demand 
records, 109; institute suit, 
no; removed from office by 
Univ. and issue address, 112; 
make statement, 144; reoccu- 
pied buildings, 164; ask help of 
legislature, 179, 207; suit by 
Wheelock's executors, 180; pru- 
dential committee, 212; com- 
mittee, on condition of College, 
213; new code, 2 14; disaffection 
in Wheelock, 226; removed 
Professor Hale, 256; appeal to 
Faculty 264; action in regard 
to President Lord, 323f; divi- 
sion on alumni suffrage, 380; 
first alumni members, 381 ; con- 
sider co-education and military 



Index, 



723 



instruction, 391 f; attitude on 
Chandler School, 426; investi- 
gation and report, 431-435; 
letter on alumni suffrage, 458, 
accept principal of suffrage; 
458; ask opinion of alumni, 
460; friendly suit proposed, 
463; offer and adopt plan of 
representation, 467; unify Col- 
lege and Chandler School, 480; 
accept alumni control of ath- 
letics, 482; assume responsi- 
bility for Summer School, 
500; lease ferries, 649. See 
also Names of Presidents. 

Tuck, Amos, 273, 299, 302, 323, 324; 
326, 327, 378, 496. 
Edward, 441, 489, 496, 497. 

Tuck Hall, 488, 497. 

Tuck School, 489, 497, 498. 

Tucker, G. H., 459, 465. 

William Jewett, alumni trustee, 
381; elected president, 472; 
declines, re-elected, 473, ad- 
ministration, 473f; movement 
for consolidation, 477; effect- 
ive policy, 486; new buildings, 
486-490; growth of College, 
50of; resignation, 503; sum- 
mary of administration, 504, 
505; also mentioned, 404, 436, 
459, 463, 464, 466, 467, 531, 
536, 569. 

Tuition, 20t, 214, 226, 289, 315, 345, 
585f. 

Twining, Alexander, C, 664. 

Twitchell, Amos, 99, 183, 684. 

Tyler, Bennet, 19, elected president, 
198; inaugurated, 199; raises 
fund, 206; first annual report, 
216; resignation, 217; 218, 
219, 220, 221, 234, 268, 557, 
565. 

Typhoid fever, 397. 

Uniform, 208. 

Union Academy, 71. 

Union Consociation, 109. 

United Fraternity, 204, 260; exhibi- 
tion, 335; Special Topic, origin, 
514; membership, 516; library, 
517; regulations, 518; dissen- 
sions, 520. See also Societies, 
Literary. 

University, Dartmouth, 86, 90; gov- 
erning Boards, 91, 682; first 
meeting, 93; no quorum, 94; 
remonstrance, 96, 695-699; 
scheme of organization, 97; 
adjournment, 97, 102; ask 
opinion of Court, 103; charter 
amended, 104; Trustees meet, 
III; remove old officers, 112; 



address to public, 115; takes 
possession of buildings, 120; 
opening of term, 121; counsel, 
124; first Commencement, 128; 
confidence of success, 151; 
applies to legislature, 156; 
desires re-argument before Sup. 
Court, 159; disappointment, 
160; closes, 164; last meeting of 
Trustees, 169; petitions legis- 
lature, 170; Governor vetoes 
appropriation, 173; Faculty 
scatter, students taken by 
College, 178. See also College 
Cases, Counsel for University, 
and Finances of University. 

University idea, 263, 264, 339. 

University of New Hampshire, 85, 207. 

Upham, George B., 186, 683. 
Jabez B., 560. 
Nathaniel G., 548, 666. 
Thomas C, 686. 

Vacations, 200. See Calendar. 

"Vale of Tempe," 651. 

Valedictory', 580, 581. 

Varney, John R., 300, 302, 340. 

Veazey, W. G., 425, 434, 435, 448, 
468. 

Vermont Medical Society, 194. 

Vernon, Ambrose W., 502. 

Vesper service, 390, 502. 

Vigilance committee, 274. 

Village, 209, 286, 387. 

"Vindication etc." 80. See also 
Pamphlets. 

Visitors of Chandler School, 294; veto 
contract with Agricultural Col- 
lege 355; relations defined, 356; 
authority questioned, 424; 
assent to union of School with 
Academic Department, 478- 
480; also mentioned, 231, 360. 

Vitruvian society, 446, 536. 

Vose, F., 132. 
John, 17. 
Roger, 168. 

Walcott, Thomas, 509, 510. 

Waldo, Nathan, 48. 

Wallace, E. F., 685. 

Walker, John, 553. 

Joseph B., 352, 453. 

Ward, Jacob, 21, 26, 29, 32, 40. 

Washington, Justice, 148, 149. 

Waterman, Thomas, 135. 

Water Supply, 475. See also Aque- 
duct Association. 

Watts, Caleb, 208. 
J. W., 286. 

Webster, Daniel, desired as counsel 
by Wheelock, 69; advises 
delay, 84; counsel at Exeter, 



724 



Index. 



130, at Washington, 138, 139; 
desires new actions, 141, 143; 
argument at Washington, 147; 
report of argument, 168; fee 
in case, 178; graduation, 204; 
portrait, 246; death, 303; 
eulogy by Choate, 304; cen- 
tennial of birth, 440; centen- 
nial of graduation, 493, 494; 
Commencement part, 581 ; also 
mentioned, 70, 83, 92, 124, 
140, 149-151, 153, 154, i6c^- 
163, 167, 177, 188, 203, 205, 
306, 310, 520, 543, 545, 639. 

Ezekiel, 67, 202, 234, 520, 577. 

Josiah, 48. 

Stephen, 684. 
Webster Hall, 45c, 474, 488, 490, 

corner stone laid, 493, 494. 
Welch, F. G., 346, 347. 
Weld, Elias, 21, 24, 29. 
Wentvvorth, Benning, 450. 
Wentworth Hall, erected, 222:224, 
256, 328, used for Thayer 
School, 361; colored, 369. 
Wentworth, John, 103, 167, 222, 368, 
405, 572, 576, 614, 648. 

Paul, 607. 

Tappan, 405, 406. 

Mrs. Tappan, 406. 
Wheeler, David P., 349. 

John B., offers $1000, 100, 178, 
4.88 

William P., 352. 
Wheeler Hall, 474, 488, 492. 
Wheelock, Mrs. Abigail, 32. 

Eleazar, i, 2, 3, 7, 28, 30, 162, 
491, 494, 514, 561, 611, 614, 
615, 648. 

Eleazar, son of Eleazar, 31, 32, 
136. 

James, 21, 26, 29, 32, 46, 135, 
136, 576, 611, 631, 632, 634. 

John, made president, i, 3; 
salary, 4; accounts settled, 5; 
change in Board of Trust, 7; 
relations to Board, 7; to meet- 
ing house, 9, 13, to Professor 
Smith, 15, to Dothan church, 
20; election of Shurtleff, 18; 
Wheelock attempts to control 
church, 22, 24, 25; opposes 
new church, 29; church organ- 
ized, 32; Wheelock petitons 
Trustees, 33; specifications of 
grievance, 34; statement to 
council, 40; Wheelock nulli- 
fies result, 44; opposes Shurt- 
leff, 46; seeks to involve 
Trustees, 47; puts Dr. Bur- 
roughs in Dothan church, 52; 
. seeks support of Shurtleff, 55; 
attacks him and Trustees, 58; 



loses support of Trustees, 59; 
work and authority lessened, 
61; appeals to legislature, 61; 
"Sketches," 64-66; political 
support, 65; memorial to legis- 
lature, 66, 67, 671 ; seeks Web- 
ster as counsel, 69; charges 
against Trustees, 71; their 
answer, 71, 72; Wheelock's 
reply, 73; removed, 75f; presi- 
dent of Univ., 115; death, 
115; will, 116; character, Ii6f; 
funeral, 119; eulogy on, 128; 
demands of executors, 180; 
229, 507, 601, 607, 611, 682. 
Mrs. Maria M., 119, 126, 180. 
Ralph, I, 3. 
Wheelock Mansion, 126, 259. 
Wheelock, Town of, loss of rents, 178, 
229; trouble with, 226; title 
questioned, 228; attempt to 
gain township for College, 
229; failure of attempt, 230. 
Wheelock, The, 447. 
Whipple, Enoch, 48. 

Thomas, 179, 183, 185, 186, 683. 
Whitcomb, Charles W., 337. 
White, Carlos, 686. 
Daniel A., 68. 
David A., 142. 
James, 686. 
Stanford S., 452, 453. 
White River Falls. See River. 
White River Falls Corporation. See 

River. 
Whiting, Samuel, 134, 686. 
Whitmore, Gordon, 632, 633, 635. 
Wilcox, Dr., 416. 

Jeduthan, 135, 684. 
John, 685. 
Wilde, Samuel S., 579. 
Wilder, C. T., 484, 640. 

H. A., 610, 640. 
Wilder Hall, 488. 
Willard fund, 345, 481, 483. 
Willard, David, 685. 

John D., 345. 
Willard and Chapin, 223. 
Williams, G. F., 465. 
Stephen W., 262. 
Wilson, George F., 417, 419. 

Wilson, ■—, 273. 

Wilson Hall, (library), gift, 418; 
construction, 41 8f, dedication, 
421. 
Windsor Association, 39, 52. 
Wines, Abijah, 48. 
Winkley, Henry, 415, 416. 
Winter term. See Short Term. 
Wirt, William, 140, 146, 147, 149- 

151, 153, 155, 163. 
Wood, Henry, 248-251, 253. 
Samuel, 48. 



Index. 



725 



Woodbury, Levi, 94, 96, 97, iii, 130. 
131, 185, 206, 533, 553, 556, 
666, 682. 
R., 104. 
P. T., 251. 
Samuel, 80. 
Woodman, John S., 292, 298, 299, 

344, 355, 422. 
Woodward, Annette, 556. 

Bezaleel, 11-14, 17, 506, 507, 

514, 601, 607, 649, 650. 
Ebenezer, 10, 24. 
George, 576. 
Henry, 686. 

James W., 55, 157, 682. 
Mary, 556. 

William H., 18. 19, 80, 81, 94, 
97, adheres to Univ., 99 ; refuses 
records, 109; no, 115, 123, 
126, 138, 139, 146, 156; death, 
157; 158, 163, 172, 173, 553, 
554, 556, 682, 684. 
Mrs. William H., 176, 177. 
Woodworth, Edward K., 531, 532, 
Woolsey, Theodore D., 234. 
Worcester, Leonard, 48. 
Noah, 48. 

Samuel, 8, 9, 64, 555. 
Thomas, 48. 



Worthen, Thomas W. D., 347, 500. 
Wright, Aaron, 24. 

Austin H., 604, 605. 

Henry C, 253. 

John H., 430, 443. 

Yard, College, graded and fenced, 
224; hedge around, 285, 387; 
fence removed, 387. 
Young, Ammi B., 221, 225, 259, 288. 

Charles A., 301, 340, 342, 343, 
374, 413, 414, 551, 609, 610. 

Dan, 172. 

Dyer, H., 259. 

Ira, professor, 235; 258; oversees 
construction of Reed Hall, 
260; chair divided, 261; buys 
apparatus, 286, 609; garden 
observatory, 287 ; builds larger 
observatory, 288; death, 289; 
301,511,535,548,605. 
Young Men's Christian Association. 
See Religious Societies. 

Zeta Psi Society, 535. 
Zouaves, Dartmouth. See Military 
Companies. 



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